Lawrence of Punjab

Officials who have interrogated Lawrence Bishnoi feel he has bitten off more than he can chew

- NAMRATA BIJI AHUJA

LAWRENCE BISHNOI HAS a disciplined routine. He fasts every Tuesday, enjoys simple meals like bajre ki roti and gur, and practises certain rituals to strengthen his focus on an austere life. None of these practices, however, will help him set foot outside the Sabarmati jail in Gujarat.

The 31-year-old is the gangster with the maximum number of cases in India—he has been named in 84 FIRs in states including Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi and Haryana. Interestingly, a lot of these charges have come during his nine years in jail. The son of a constable in the Haryana Police, Lawrence picked up the gun at 17. He dreamt of becoming a dreaded gangster—which he did— but little did he think that he would trigger a diplomatic row between two countries. As Canada investigates the Bishnoi gang’s alleged links to “Indian agents”, officials who have interrogated him feel he has bitten off more than he can chew. “If a fair investigation is undertaken by Canada and the US, it will require the questioning of Bishnoi’s associates on their soil,” said a senior security officer.

On top of the list is his brother Anmol, wanted in nearly a dozen cases for crimes including murder, looting and extortion. When Anmol was in jail in Rajasthan, Lawrence prepared the ground for his brother to flee the country. Investigators revealed that he ensured Anmol stayed in jail until his fake passport, which would take him to the US via Africa, was ready.