Lawrence Bishnoi’s legal team member arrested in arms smuggling case

The Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested Deepak Khatri, a member of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's legal team, on Tuesday. Khatri, whose real name is Deepak Nanda, was apprehended near Indira Gandhi International Airport after returning from Dubai. He faced a court on Wednesday, who ordered his three-day police custody for further interrogation.

Police sources claim Khatri had liaised with Bangladesh-based arms dealer Shahbaz Ansari. When questioned, Khatri confessed his involvement in an international terror module orchestrated by Ansari through Harshpal Singh Rubal and Nishant Arora. Prosecutors noted Khatri's statements admitting his capability to assist in the investigation, aiding the arrest of other accused, and disclosing the modus operandi of the criminals.

The 37-year-old resident of West Delhi was allegedly ambushed in February while visiting a Hanuman temple. He later alleged that Rohit Godara, a rival of Bishnoi, orchestrated the attack with the help of hired assassins. Khatri's capture follows earlier arrests of his shooters and a logistical support provider. According to police, the AK-47 rifles supplied by Ansari were allegedly utilized in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala.

Bishnoi's confessions to investigators corroborated Ansari's involvement. In October 2022, Ansari was apprehended by the National Investigation Agency and subsequently granted bail for his wife's medical procedure in 2025, following which he disappeared. Police suspect he is currently hiding in Bangladesh.