Amid a diplomatic row, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed on Thursday that Canada has not acted on 26 pending extradition requests related to members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a group linked to multiple high-profile crimes in India. These extradition requests, made over the past decade, also include individuals facing terror charges. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that despite repeated attempts, the Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has not addressed India’s “core concerns.”
Canada’s Reluctance to Act on Extradition Requests
During a press briefing, Jaiswal criticized Canada’s inaction on the extradition of Lawrence Bishnoi gang members. He pointed out that the gang, known for its criminal activities across several Indian states, has been involved in a number of violent incidents, including the recent murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique. “They haven’t taken any action on our core concerns. There is a political motive also behind this,” Jaiswal said, highlighting Canada’s reluctance to cooperate on India’s security-related concerns.
Trudeau’s Allegations of Indian Diplomatic Involvement
These remarks came a day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified before a public inquiry into foreign interference, claiming that Indian diplomats were collecting information on Canadians opposed to the Narendra Modi government. Trudeau also alleged that this information was passed to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, further straining diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had previously alleged that the Bishnoi gang had ties to Indian government agents, specifically targeting “pro-Khalistani elements” in the South Asian community in Canada. These accusations have added to the ongoing tension between India and Canada over their respective handling of diplomatic and criminal issues.
In March 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a 128-page chargesheet against Lawrence Bishnoi and 15 others under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The NIA described Bishnoi as a powerful figure in India’s criminal underworld, leading a 700-member criminal enterprise. The chargesheet detailed how his syndicate, with 300 members from his home state of Punjab, formed alliances with pro-Khalistan elements to secure sophisticated weapons and invest in terrorism-related activities.
The NIA reported that Bishnoi’s empire is linked to over 84 criminal cases across states such as Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. His syndicate is also accused of running extortion rackets and using proceeds to fund terrorism, further complicating the international extradition requests.
The ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada is further exacerbated by these allegations and the lack of action on the extradition requests. India continues to push for the arrest and extradition of Bishnoi gang members while accusing Canada of harboring individuals connected to criminal and terrorist activities.