September 29, 2025
Parteek Singh Mahal
Canada has officially listed the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization, a move that follows mounting pressure from Conservative and NDP politicians. The new designation prohibits Canadians from providing financial or any other form of aid to the group.
The gang, led by Lawrence Bishnoi from a prison cell in India, is accused of coordinating criminal activities via a cellphone. The group’s criminal operations reportedly escalated after the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022, with a wave of high-profile killings in India and abroad.
This designation comes amid a rise in extortion and violence targeting South Asian communities across Canada, particularly in Surrey, B.C., Brampton, Ontario, and northeast Calgary.
Last year, the RCMP accused India of using the Bishnoi gang to target Canadian citizens, specifically those advocating for an independent Sikh state known as Khalistan. New Delhi has denied these claims, stating it is actively collaborating with Ottawa to disrupt the gang’s financial flow into Canada.
The new terror listing provides Canadian authorities with the power to seize property and freeze accounts belonging to the gang and its members. Premier David Eby of British Columbia stated that the move gives police the necessary tools to confiscate assets from gang members operating in B.C., Alberta, and Ontario, and he hopes for swift police action.
While the designation is seen as a crucial step, some experts are skeptical about its impact. Wesley Wark, a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, believes the listing is unlikely to deter the gang, as Canada’s primary challenge is a lack of capacity in gathering criminal intelligence.
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized the government, holding it responsible for allowing these criminals into the country. He is calling for mandatory prison sentences for those involved in extortion and the deportation of foreign criminals.
Earlier this month, B.C. authorities established a provincial task force dedicated to investigating the surge of violence and extortion targeting the province’s South Asian community.
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