Representative Image / AI generated using Perplexity

Bowing to the mounting pressure from various quarters, including provincial governments and various Sikh organisations,  Canada has finally declared gangster Lawrence Bishnoi as a “terrorist” entity under the Criminal Code.

An official announcement made by the office of the Minister of Public Safety said that “Acts of violence and terror have no place in Canada, especially those that target specific communities to create a climate of fear and intimidation. That is why Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, announced today that the Government of Canada has listed the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code.

The announcement has been widely hailed as the Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, had been under growing pressure as members of the official Opposition, Conservatives, had been gunning for his resignation or his dismissal from the Cabinet, for failure of the government to check the growth of crime, especially violent or gun crime.

With the addition of Lawrence Bishnoi, there are now 88 terrorist entities listed under the Criminal Code in Canada.

Also Read:Now, Kapil Sharma’s new café in Surrey comes under attack

Several offences in the Criminal Code address conduct in connection with terrorist groups. For example, the Criminal Code prohibits dealing in any property (including money) owned or controlled by terrorist groups or providing property or any financial services (such as services offered by banks and money services businesses) that will benefit or be used by a terrorist group.

As Canada’s national police service, the RCMP is responsible for preventing, detecting and investigating terrorism-related criminal activities in Canada while respecting personal rights and freedoms. Listing is an important tool that supports criminal investigations and strengthens the RCMP’s ability to prevent and disrupt terrorist activity in Canada.

“Every person in Canada has the right to feel safe in their home and community, and as a government, it is our fundamental responsibility to protect them.

Specific communities have been targeted for terror, violence and intimidation by the Bishnoi Gang. Listing this group of criminal terrorists gives us more powerful and effective tools to confront and put a stop to their crimes,” announced Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety.

Meanwhile Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, hailed the decision to declare Lawrence Bishnoi as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, while applauding the Government of Canada’s decision, said that this designation of Lawrence Bishnoi followed months of advocacy from municipal leaders, law enforcement and community organisations—including his June 2025 letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree calling for urgent action. 

“The Bishnoi gang is sophisticated, transnational and ruthless,” said Mayor Brown. “If law enforcement is to dismantle their networks, we must match — or exceed — that sophistication. This new designation gives police and security agencies the authority to follow their money, interdict recruitment and shut down transit and communication links that enable their operations.” 

The Bishnoi gang, led by Lawrence Bishnoi from prison in India, has been linked to murders, extortion schemes and intimidation campaigns across Canada, particularly targeting members of the South Asian diaspora.

The federal designation empowers Canadian authorities to seize property, freeze bank accounts, immobilise vehicles and disrupt travel. It provides enhanced tools to target the gang’s finances, recruitment and cross-border movement. Border officials will also gain stronger powers to scrutinise and act on the admissibility of individuals entering Canada who may be tied to or facilitating the gang. 

Mayor Brown extended gratitude to the federal government for responding to the urgent calls of Peel Regional Police, British Columbia Premier David Eby, and the World Sikh Organization—along with municipal leaders across the country, including Brenda Locke, Mayor of Surrey, Amarjeet Sohi, Mayor of Edmonton and Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta—who have all urged the federal government to take decisive action. 

“This designation equips law enforcement with the critical tools they need to protect communities, deter further violence and extortion, and restore public confidence,” Brown added. “I am especially grateful to Prime Minister Carney and Minister Anandasangaree for their leadership and responsiveness on this pressing issue.” 

The Mayor reiterated the City of Brampton’s ongoing commitment to work with federal, provincial, and municipal partners to combat organised crime and ensure safety for all residents. 

As a now-listed entity, the Bishnoi Gang has met the definition of a “terrorist group” under Canada’s Criminal Code. A terrorist listing means anything owned by that group in Canada, property, vehicles, money, can be frozen or seized and gives Canadian law enforcement more tools to prosecute terrorist offences, including those related to financing, travel and recruitment.

For example, it is a criminal offence for anyone in Canada and Canadians abroad to knowingly deal with property owned or controlled by a terrorist group. It is also an offence to directly or indirectly provide property knowing that it will be used by or benefit a terrorist group. The Criminal Code listing can also be used by immigration and border officials to inform decisions on admissibility to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal organisation operating primarily out of India. They have a presence in Canada and are active in areas with significant diaspora communities. The Bishnoi Gang engages in murder, shootings and arson, and generates terror through extortion and intimidation.

They create a climate of insecurity in these communities by targeting them, their prominent community members, businesses, and cultural figures. Listing the Bishnoi Gang will help Canadian security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies in combating their crimes and making communities safer.