The US may formally request the extradition of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi from India. At the same time, the international media also claimed that two more members of the Vishnu gang are preparing to be taken to the United States for trial. If the move is implemented, the Bishnoi case will become one of the most important extradition cases between India and the United States.
Lawrence Bishnoi, his close aide Satinderjit Singh alias Goldie Brar and another associate played a key role in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijja in Canada, the US Department of Justice alleged.
The indictment claims that while in jail in India, Bishnoi ran the entire operation using stolen mobile phones and directed gang members active in North America. Investigators claimed that Bishnoi sent pictures of Nijr while in India and gave instructions on when and how the operation would be conducted.
US investigators claim the accused are not only involved in the murders themselves, but are also involved in extortion, intimidation and organized crime in North America. For this reason, a case has been filed against them in the US court.
Bill Ashe, the first US public prosecutor, claimed that not only Bishno, but also accused Ravinder Dhanda and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria would be requested to be extradited.
In 1997, India and the United States signed an extradition treaty, under which Lawrence Bishnoi and his two associates could apply for extradition to the United States. However, extradition will ultimately depend on the Indian government’s legal and diplomatic decisions.
Lawrence Bishnoi is currently in jail in India on multiple charges. He faces several serious charges including murder, extortion and running an organized crime ring. According to investigators, Goldie Brar is still on the run and hiding abroad.
The complaint filed in a US court does not allege anything against the Indian government, but the case revolves entirely around the alleged gang member’s criminal activities. This situation has also added a new dimension to India-Canada relations. It remains to be seen when the US formally requests extradition and what India decides on the request.