The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) has confirmed that it intends to seek the extradition of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi from India following a federal indictment accusing him of leading a transnational organised crime network. The move marks a significant development in international law enforcement cooperation involving authorities from the United States, Canada, and Europe.
According to the US Justice Department, Bishnoi has been charged in connection with multiple alleged offences, including racketeering, extortion, and the alleged conspiracy behind the 2023 killing of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. US prosecutors allege that Bishnoi directed criminal activities while incarcerated in India through associates operating across several countries.
Responding to media queries, officials from the US Attorney’s Office confirmed that a formal extradition request will be pursued. However, they also acknowledged that the extradition process is often lengthy and may take several years to conclude. Bishnoi is currently lodged in a jail in Gujarat, where he faces multiple criminal cases under Indian law.
Legal experts note that any extradition request will be governed by the India-US Extradition Treaty and India’s Extradition Act, 1962. Before any transfer can take place, Indian courts will examine the request, and the final decision will rest with the Government of India after completion of the legal process.
The indictment forms part of a wider multinational operation targeting organised crime networks allegedly involved in murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and other cross-border offences. Authorities in the US described the crackdown as one of the largest coordinated actions against India-based criminal syndicates operating internationally.
The case is expected to remain under close watch as legal proceedings continue in both countries. Officials have not indicated a timeline for filing the formal extradition request, and the matter is likely to involve extensive judicial scrutiny before any final decision is reached.
Source: United States Department of Justice (DoJ)
Original Report: Official US Justice Department statements and national news agencies.
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