The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been granted seven more days of custody of international gangster Anmol Bishnoi, who is the brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The order was issued on Saturday. The NIA judge did not hold the hearing in court, because of the security concerns. Instead, the judge went to the NIA Headquarters, where the proceedings took place due to possible threats to Anmol Bishnoi. His custody has now been extended until December 5. Earlier, on November 19, a special court had already sent him to 11 days of NIA custody.
According to the NIA, Anmol is an important member of the BKI-Bishnoi gangster syndicate. The agency says he played a key role in running the gang’s activities. They are also investigating his suspected links to Khalistani elements and his involvement in the larger criminal network.
NIA Says Anmol Is Key Member of Gangster Syndicate
NIA counsel Rahul Tyagi presented the agency’s arguments before the court. Meanwhile, Anmol’s defence team argued that the NIA already had all the evidence needed and that more custody was not required. They claimed there was no direct evidence against him and that he was ready to cooperate with the investigation. They asked the court not to extend his custody. However, the court disagreed and allowed the NIA’s request for more time.
On November 19, the day he was brought to court, Anmol was brought back to India from the United States and arrested as soon as he landed. He had been missing since 2022 and became the 19th person arrested in the terror syndicate case linked to Lawrence Bishnoi.
The NIA said Anmol was chargesheeted in March 2023 after investigations showed that between 2020 and 2023, he played a major role in helping designated terrorist Goldy Brar and his associates carry out violent acts in India.
The agency said Anmol was operating from the United States. From there, he coordinated with gang members in India, arranged logistics and hideouts for shooters, and managed extortion activities targeting wealthy and influential people.
Facing multiple terror cases in India
The NIA also said it is still looking into the larger network involving terrorists, gangsters and illegal arms suppliers, including how they operate and how they receive funding. Anmol Bishnoi faces several serious cases, including being accused of involvement in the murder conspiracy of former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique, who was shot dead in Mumbai in October last year.
He is also being investigated for the firing incident outside actor Salman Khan’s home in Bandra last year, and for his alleged involvement in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala — one of the biggest cases linked to the Bishnoi-Brar network. In November 2024, Anmol was arrested in California, USA, for entering the country using illegal documents.
