US Says India-based Gangs Targeted Diaspora Through Murder, Extortion, Intimidation

The US Department of Justice has alleged that India-based organised crime groups targeted Indian diaspora communities across North America through murder, extortion and intimidation, using high-profile attacks to instil fear and expand their criminal operations.

The allegations form part of a series of federal indictments announced under 'Operation Hard Ball', a multinational law enforcement operation targeting transnational organised crime networks.

37 charged, 24 arrested

According to the Justice Department, 37 defendants linked to three organised crime groups have been charged with offences including racketeering, murder, extortion, kidnapping, firearms trafficking and large-scale drug trafficking across the United States, Canada and Europe.

Authorities said 24 suspects have been arrested as part of the coordinated operation involving law enforcement agencies in North America, Europe and Asia.

Announcing the indictments in Los Angeles, First Assistant US Attorney Bilal A. Essayli said the criminal organisations had engaged in widespread violence.

He alleged that the groups "preyed in particular on communities in the United States and Canada with ties to India" and routinely extorted victims and their families by threatening them with violence and death.

Lawrence Bishnoi group named

One of the indictments centres on the Lawrence Bishnoi Organised Crime Group, which prosecutors allege used targeted violence to create what they described as a "climate of fear" among people in India and the global Indian diaspora.

According to the indictment, the organisation allegedly publicised violent acts through social media posts, online videos and media interviews to enhance its reputation and strengthen future extortion attempts.

Prosecutors further allege that the gang deliberately targeted prominent cultural, political and business figures in India and abroad to maximise publicity and increase pressure on future victims.

Alleged links to high-profile attacks

Among the allegations cited in the indictment is the June 18, 2023, killing of a Khalistani terrorist identified in court documents only as "H.S.N." in Surrey, British Columbia.

US prosecutors allege that Lawrence Bishnoi and alleged North American associate Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar ordered the assassination.

The indictment also alleges that the organisation claimed responsibility for a shooting outside the Vancouver residence of a prominent Indian actor and singer identified only as "R.G.", before allegedly attempting to extort the individual.

Prosecutors further allege that the gang claimed responsibility for the 2022 killing of a well-known Indian singer and rapper identified only as "S.S.S."

The indictment also alleges that between 2022 and 2026, Bishnoi publicly declared his intention to kill a prominent Indian actor and television personality identified only as "S.K.", with prosecutors claiming such threats were intended to promote the criminal enterprise and spread fear.

Victims allegedly identified through online data

According to the indictment, gang members allegedly identified extortion targets through government databases, social media platforms and surveillance.

They are accused of contacting victims through encrypted messaging applications, including WhatsApp, while referring to previous attacks to pressure them into making extortion payments.

Separate indictment against another gang

A separate federal indictment names the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria organised crime group, alleging that it also targeted members of the Indian diaspora.

Prosecutors further allege that the group, in some instances, worked with corrupt law enforcement officials in India to falsely implicate victims in criminal cases before demanding money to have those cases withdrawn.

The US Department of Justice said the investigation involved law enforcement agencies from the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

The allegations are contained in federal indictments, and the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.