Mumbai Police struggles to get custody of Lawrence Bishnoi

BABA SIDDIQUE MURDER CASE

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Police is facing increasing challenges in its efforts to apprehend and investigate dreaded gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, as his gang continues to wreak havoc across the city. Despite the Bishnoi gang's claim of responsibility for two high-profile incidents—the firing outside actor Salman Khan's residence in April and the recent assassination of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique—the authorities have been unable to gain custody of Bishnoi, who remains incarcerated in Sabarmati Jail, Gujarat.

Bishnoi's current incarceration stems from a drug smuggling case, following his transfer from Delhi's Tihar Jail in August 2023. However, any attempts to transfer him to Mumbai for questioning have been thwarted by a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order. The ministry, exercising its power under Section 268 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), has barred his transfer for an extended period, citing concerns that Bishnoi's movement could pose a threat to public order and safety.

This order was initially set to expire in August 2024, but sources indicate that it has been extended for another year. As a result, the Mumbai Police's multiple applications for custody of Bishnoi have been rejected.

The Bishnoi gang, led by Lawrence Bishnoi's I with gangsters Goldy Brar and Rohit Godara, has made national headlines repeatedly in recent years. In 2022, the gang claimed responsibility for the assassination of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, which shocked the nation. More recently, the gang has taken credit for the firing incident outside Salman Khan's residence, Galaxy Apartments, in Mumbai's Bandra in April.