US Charges Reveal Lawrence Bishnoi’s Alleged Role in Salman Khan Plot, Sidhu Moosewala Killing

The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has charged jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and six alleged associates in a sweeping indictment.

That accuses the syndicate of operating a global criminal network involved in murder, extortion, drug trafficking and human smuggling. Despite being lodged in an Indian prison since 2015, US prosecutors allege Bishnoi continued to run the organisation from behind bars using smuggled mobile phones and encrypted internet-based communication devices.

The indictment, unsealed in a federal court in California, describes the Bishnoi Organised Crime Group (OCG) as a transnational syndicate with operations spanning India, the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Australia. It links the gang to several high-profile crimes, including the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, the firing outside Salman Khan’s residence and threats against actor-singer Gippy Grewal.

DoJ outlines alleged global network

According to the indictment, the Bishnoi OCG expanded beyond India over the years, targeting prominent political, business and cultural figures both in the country and among Indian diaspora communities abroad.

The DoJ identifies Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar as the alleged leader of the syndicate’s North American operations, Rohit Godara as its Europe-based coordinator and Sukhraj Singh Kang as a key operative in India. Three others — Rajan Bhatti, Bhulwan and Sumit — have also been named as alleged members of the network.

Major allegations against the Bishnoi gang

Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing:
US prosecutors allege that Bishnoi and Goldy Brar ordered the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. The indictment claims four conspirators were involved in the plot, with two carrying out the shooting.

Sidhu Moosewala murder:
The DoJ says the Bishnoi gang publicly claimed responsibility for ordering the murder of Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala (Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu), who was gunned down in Punjab’s Mansa district on May 29, 2022.

Salman Khan attack plot:
The indictment alleges Bishnoi repeatedly declared his intention to kill a prominent Indian actor identified only as “SK”, widely understood to refer to Salman Khan. It cites the April 2024 firing outside the actor’s Mumbai residence and says the threats were linked to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.

Threats to Gippy Grewal:
The indictment also references the shooting outside Punjabi actor-singer Gippy Grewal’s residence in November 2023, which the Bishnoi gang allegedly claimed responsibility for. Prosecutors further allege the gang continued threatening Grewal and his manager while demanding extortion payments between December 2025 and March 2026.

Sunil Yadav killing in California:
Among the overseas crimes listed is the December 2024 killing of alleged drug smuggler Sunil Yadav in Stockton, California. According to the DoJ, Goldy Brar and Rohit Godara claimed responsibility on behalf of the Bishnoi gang, warning rivals through social media that they could be targeted anywhere in the world.

The indictment contains allegations by US federal prosecutors. The charges remain subject to judicial proceedings, and those named have not been convicted of the offences alleged.