CM Devendra Fadnavis Praises Mumbai Police, Reveals Progress In Crackdown On Lawrence Bishnoi Gang's Foreign Network

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra lauded the Mumbai Police on Tuesday, hinting at the imminent arrest of another Lawrence Bishnoi gang member based overseas. Earlier, Harichand Jat, also known as Harry Boxer, was apprehended on Saturday for his alleged involvement in the gang's operations from the United States, alongside a series of criminal charges including murder, threats, and extortion.

In an interview, Fadnavis, who concurrently serves as Home Minister, disclosed that "the process to secure the second arrest was underway." Last month, members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang opened fire at Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai's Juhu area, prompting the gang to claim responsibility via a social media post purportedly from gangster Anil Pandit.

Fadnavis expressed certainty that another overseas gang operative would be arrested soon, stating, "Of the total four people operating from abroad, one has been arrested and expressed confidence that another arrest would take place soon." The four individuals are among alleged gang operatives based abroad, orchestrating Bishnoi gang's criminal activities, issuing extortion threats, and planning firing incidents in India.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has been implicated in multiple firing incidents and extortion threats across India. Its alleged members and associates operate through a network of shooters and handlers stationed in various locations. The gang utilizes firing incidents to instill fear among the populace and coerce them into meeting extortion demands, according to Fadnavis.

Praising the Mumbai Police for their role in dismantling the gang and resolving cases involving firing incidents targeting prominent personalities, Fadnavis commended their professionalism, saying, "Mumbai Police is number 1. There is no police force as professional as the Mumbai Police." Following the attack on actor Tiger Shroff, the gang claimed to possess a vast crime empire and thousands of willing members who would carry out their orders.

However, Fadnavis dismissed the notion of a large, organized Bishnoi gang, attributing its operations to the recruitment of young men from rural areas, who are engaged for specific assignments and not permanent members of the gang. These individuals are lured by financial incentives and are not members of the gang's core structure, Fadnavis added.