The United States has charged Lawrence Bishnoi, the imprisoned head of an Indian criminal gang, and his North American deputy Goldy Brar with ordering the 2023 assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The charges are part of a sweeping US-led crackdown on transnational organised crime networks.
According to CNN, the US Department of Justice has named Bishnoi and his aide among 37 people charged in what is being called "Operation Hard Ball." The operation targeted three India-based syndicates involved in drug trafficking, violence, and murder.
24 arrested in global crackdown
As part of the years-long investigation, 24 people have been arrested so far in the United States, Canada, and Europe. This includes 11 arrests in California alone. The charges against Bishnoi and Brar specifically accuse them of directing the murder of Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, which plunged diplomatic relations between Ottawa and New Delhi into crisis.
According to The Hindu, the federal indictment was unsealed in Los Angeles. Court documents refer to Nijjar as "H.S.N." and allege that Bishnoi orchestrated the assassination from prison.
What the US Department of Justice said
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli made a statement on X, saying: "Transnational criminal gangs who spread fear, drugs, and violence will face the full force of justice and the weight of the federal government."
"Transnational criminal gangs who spread fear, drugs, and violence will face the full force of justice and the weight of the federal government." — PTC News
The US Department of Justice has said that the investigation, led by the FBI, involved coordination with law enforcement agencies in Canada and Europe. The charges include conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking, and other serious offences.
Who is Hardeep Singh Nijjar?
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a prominent Sikh separatist leader based in British Columbia, Canada. He was shot and killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey in June 2023. His murder led to a major diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging that Indian government agents were involved — a claim India has denied.
According to The New Indian Express, the US charges now directly link Bishnoi's gang to the killing, marking a significant development in the case.
Our Take: A major blow to transnational crime networks
This is a significant move by the US Department of Justice. Charging Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar — two of India's most wanted gangsters — with a murder that took place in Canada shows how far law enforcement is willing to go to dismantle these networks. The fact that 24 arrests have already been made across three countries suggests that this investigation has been running for a long time and has gathered substantial evidence.
In our view, this case also highlights the global reach of organised crime syndicates based in India. These gangs are not just operating within India's borders — they are involved in violence, drug trafficking, and murder in North America and Europe. The US-led crackdown sends a clear message: no matter where you are, if you are involved in transnational crime, you will be pursued.
For the families of victims like Hardeep Singh Nijjar, this is a step toward justice. But it also raises questions about how these networks operate across borders and what more can be done to stop them.