NIA Gets 11-Day Custody of Anmol Bishnoi After Arrest, Deportation to India

Gangster Anmol Bishnoi, wanted in several high profile criminal cases including the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, has been placed in 11 day custody of the National Investigation Agency after a Delhi court order on Wednesday.

His arrest and deportation to India earlier in the day marked a major breakthrough for investigators tracking the operations of the Bishnoi syndicate.

Court Sends Bishnoi to NIA Custody

Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi, appearing for the NIA with Advocate Kushdeep Gaur, informed Patiala House Court about Bishnoi's suspected role within the crime syndicate led by his brother, Lawrence Bishnoi. The agency described him as a key figure who had been absconding since 2022 and noted that he is the nineteenth accused to be caught in the wider terror linked gangster network.

The agency told the court that custodial interrogation is vital to uncover the deeper structure of the group. Officials stated that questioning is necessary to identify the source of funds, locate other members, and understand how the network functioned. They added that his disclosures may lead investigators to more individuals connected to the syndicate.

Return From Abroad and Ongoing Investigations

Earlier on Wednesday, Bishnoi was brought back to India from the United States. After his arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, he was formally handed over to the NIA. He is wanted across multiple states for alleged involvement in major organised crime and extortion networks tied to Lawrence Bishnoi.

There are thirty one cases registered against him across Rajasthan, Punjab and Maharashtra. Investigators had recently obtained information that he had been detained in Canada, where he was reportedly carrying a Russian passport obtained on the basis of forged documents, according to an official cited by PTI.

Accusations and Previous Activities

Anmol Bishnoi is the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is accused of running a global criminal syndicate despite being behind bars. Anmol gained notoriety after being placed on the NIA most wanted list with a reward of ten lakh rupees for information leading to his arrest.

He was named a significant conspirator and was chargesheeted by the NIA in March 2023 after investigators uncovered his direct role in facilitating terrorist activities across India between 2020 and 2023. The agency stated that he worked closely with internationally designated terrorist Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi while providing operational support from abroad.

Cases Linked to Murder and Extortion

Bishnoi is a key accused in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, who was shot dead on October 12, 2024, outside his son Zeeshan's office in Bandra. Several persons linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang were arrested in the case, while Anmol and others were shown as wanted by Mumbai Police.

His name had earlier surfaced in the 2022 killing of Punjabi singer and Congress politician Sidhu Moosewala. He is alleged to have supplied weapons and logistical assistance to the attackers who carried out the murder.