The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has been designated a “terrorist organisation” in Canada, has once again come under the spotlight after a report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) claimed that the group had been “acting on behalf of the Indian government”. The confidential intelligence review, accessed by Vancouver-based Global News, alleges links between the Bishnoi gang and the Indian state.
According to Global News, the undated three-page RCMP report refers to the gang’s alleged ties with the Indian government at least six times. The document tracks the expanding footprint of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in Canada and warns of its growing criminal influence.
The allegations have surfaced at a sensitive time, as India–Canada relations have begun to stabilise after months of diplomatic strain. In August 2025, both countries appointed envoys to each other following a prolonged freeze in ties. Relations had deteriorated after Canadian authorities accused India of espionage and acts of violence, allegations that New Delhi repeatedly denied, citing a lack of evidence.
RCMP flags expanding presence of Bishnoi gang
“The Bishnoi Crime Group is a violent criminal organisation with an active, continually expanding presence in several countries, including Canada,” the RCMP report said.
It further alleged that the gang uses violence to further its criminal enterprise “while acting on behalf of the Indian government”, though no supporting evidence was made public in the report cited by Global News.
The RCMP said the gang is involved in serious criminal activities such as extortion, drug trafficking, money laundering and targeted killings. The report added that the group’s primary motive appeared to be financial gain rather than political or religious ideology.
Timing of report draws attention
The report emerged on the same day British Columbia Premier David Eby began a trade mission to India from January 12 to 17, according to Global News. The RCMP noted that despite being listed as a terrorist organisation by Ottawa, the Bishnoi gang’s activities in Canada have intensified over the past year.
Lawrence Bishnoi, currently lodged in Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Jail, is believed to be operating his criminal network through associates based in India and abroad, as per multiple media reports.
Diplomatic backdrop
India and Canada were previously locked in a diplomatic standoff during the tenure of former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India rejected the charge and repeatedly asked Ottawa to share credible evidence, which was never made public.
In October last year, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India and Canada had agreed to enhance intelligence-sharing and cooperate against organised crime. However, the Bishnoi gang has continued to target businesses in Canada through extortion, including an attack on comedian Kapil Sharma’s Kap’s Cafe in Surrey, British Columbia.
India questions Canada’s handling of organised crime
Indian officials have maintained that Canada has failed to act decisively against extremist and criminal elements despite repeated warnings from New Delhi over the years.
This point was underlined by India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, during an interview with CBC. “Accusations are easy. India has been talking about terrorism in Canada for 40 years. What has anyone done about it? Not one person has been convicted here,” he said.
While Canadian authorities have pointed fingers at India over the Bishnoi gang’s activities, questions also remain over how such elements were able to establish themselves in the country and why timely action was not taken by Ottawa to curb their operations.