Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Eyes Mumbai and Pune for Expansion, Say Investigative Agencies

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang reportedly has its sights set on Maharashtra’s major urban centres—Mumbai and Pune. Investigative agencies have sounded the alarm over the gang’s expanding influence, warning that it is actively recruiting vulnerable and unemployed youth through social media platforms. Sources within central investigative bodies reveal that in Mumbai, the gang is targeting socially active, jobless youngsters, while in Pune, it is focusing on individuals already engaged in petty criminal activities. These recruits are allegedly being enticed with promises of notoriety, power, and local dominance, raising serious concerns about the gang’s growing network and the potential for escalating violence in these cities.

Alarmingly, many of the crimes executed by the Bishnoi gang in Mumbai have been carried out using recruits from Pune, further indicating the deepening roots of the gang in Maharashtra. The recruitment process is said to be orchestrated through platforms such as Snapchat and Signal, with existing gang members reaching out to potential recruits directly.

Pune, in particular, has witnessed the rise of several “Koyta gangs” over the past few years groups that use fear and violence to establish dominance. The Bishnoi gang is reportedly capitalizing on this trend, identifying youths who aspire to become big-time criminals and integrating them into its growing network.

A senior official from a central agency stated that while the identities of existing gang members are known, the details of recent recruits in Maharashtra are still unclear. “We are closely monitoring social media platforms to track and curb further recruitment,” the official added.

Land development in Pune has also become a hotspot for criminal activity. As new real estate and business projects emerge, antisocial elements are increasingly using intimidation, extortion, and land grabs to assert control. Law enforcement agencies acknowledge that several small gangs have emerged in these areas and the Bishnoi network is reportedly trying to absorb or collaborate with them.

Mumbai police officials have confirmed that similar recruitment efforts are being made in the city. Leads have been found indicating the gang’s growing attempts to build a local network, prompting increased surveillance and preventive action.

“We are keeping an eye on social media. However, so far, there has been no evidence of youths from Mumbai and Pune joining the Bishnoi gang. But we cannot rule out the possibility that some gang might be in covert contact with the Bishnoi gang. In the Baba Siddiqui case, the accused Shubham Lonkar and Praveen are residents of Akola.” Said Nikhil Pingale, DCP, Pune Crime Branch

The gang’s link to recent high-profile crimes underscores the threat. Saurabh Mahakal, a Pune native, was involved in the 2022 assassination of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. In another case last year, six youths from Pune all aged between 20 and 24 were arrested in connection with a plot to assassinate NCP leader Baba Siddique. The same age group was also involved in the firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence.​