How gangster Anmol Bishnoi, deported from the US, became India’s ‘most wanted’

Gangster Anmol Bishnoi, wanted for the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique, has been deported by the United States. He arrived at the Delhi airport on Wednesday (November 19) amid heightened security.

Anmol is the brother of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad. The younger Bishnoi is on the anti-terror National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) ‘most wanted’ list.

Here’s a look at his many crimes.

Who is Anmol Bishnoi?

Anmol Bishnoi, a native of Punjab’s Fazilka district, is a key part of his elder brother Lawrence Bishnoi’s crime syndicate.

Investigators say Anmol supervised crucial operations for his brother after fleeing to the US. A senior official of the NIA told Hindustan Times (HT) that Anmol was Lawrence Bishnoi’s main overseas handler who ordered extortion rackets, issued threats and coordinated operations through encrypted channels.

More from Explainers

US to deport gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother Anmol, wanted in Baba Siddique case US sanctions 32 individuals and entities linked to Iran’s missile and drone programmes

“His presence abroad helped the syndicate build links with criminal groups across West Asia, East Africa and North America. With his deportation confirmed, we are now preparing to take his formal custody,” the unnamed official said.

Anmol escaped to the US in May 2022 using a forged passport in the name of one Bhanu. As per PTI, he moved between the US and Canada, carrying fraudulent Russian documents, before being caught.

Anmol was arrested by the US immigration authorities last November for “allegedly travelling with fake documents”. “After spending some time in a US prison, he came out on bail,” a source told Indian Express.

Editor’s Picks

1

700 gunmen, global connections & more: How gangster Lawrence Bishnoi operates from behind bars 2

Mumbai police move to extradite Anmol Bishnoi from US. Who is he?

The US Immigration Department had found that a reference letter from a company, attached to his travel documents, was forged.

Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice against him on December 6, 2022.

How Anmol Bishnoi became India’s ‘most wanted’

Gangster Anmol Bishnoi is wanted in India in at least 18 cases, including attempted murder.
He was incarcerated in a Rajasthan prison in 2017 on charges of criminal conspiracy and attempted murder, among others, ThePrint reported, citing court documents.

Anmol allegedly ordered the hit on Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala. The Punjabi rapper was shot dead after his car was ambushed by unidentified gunmen on May 29, 2022.

The gangster is suspected of having fled India on a fake passport before Moose Wala’s killing.

Anmol also claimed responsibility for firing outside Bollywood star Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai in April 2024. The Mumbai Police have named him in the chargesheet in the case.

As per ThePrint, an audio clip mentioned in the chargesheet indicated that Anmol had told the shooters, “Lord Ram has blessed us. We will handle him (Salman Khan). There is no problem, as long as it is in my control, I don’t have any problem.”

According to the chargesheet, the gangster delivered a nine-minute speech to “motivate” the shooters – Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, saying they would make history.

He is also wanted as the main plotter in the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique in October 2024. The NCP leader was shot dead near his car while he was leaving his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Mumbai’s Bandra.

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch arrested 26 people in connection with the case after invoking provisions of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Investigators named Anmol Bishnoi as the ‘plotter’ of Baba Siddique’s murder in the chargesheet. The police said that the voice in several audio clips on the mobile phones of the arrested matched the gangster’s, who can be heard instructing to carry out the murder, reported Indian Express.

Last July, a Mumbai court issued a non-bailable warrant against him. Investigators suspected that Anmol fled to Azerbaijan at the time before changing his location.

In 2024, the NIA announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of Anmol Bishnoi.

Anmol Bishnoi deported

Anmol Bishnoi reached India today after being deported from the US. He was reportedly on a plane with two other criminals wanted by the Punjab Police, as well as 197 illegal Indian immigrants.

The gangster had filed an asylum request with US authorities.

“Anmol had applied for asylum and his application was rejected on Monday. After this, orders were issued to deport him and Central agencies in India were informed about his arrival,” a senior police officer told Indian Express.

“Orders have been issued for deployment of multiple teams of Delhi Police at the [Indira Gandhi International] IGI Airport. As per discussions so far, it has been decided that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will produce him in a court to get his custody,” the officer added.

The US Department of Homeland Security sent an email to Zeeshan Siddique on Tuesday, informing him of Anmol’s deportation.

The mail, seen by NDTV, read: “This email is to inform you ANMOL BISHNOI has been removed from the United States by the federal government. The offender was removed on November 18, 2025.”

Speaking to Indian Express, the former MLA said, “My e-mail is registered with the US authorities since I am from the victim’s family, and they would update me about any developments in the case. This morning, I received an email saying that Bishnoi has been removed from the US. I do not know what that means or where he has gone.”

A police official said that the Mumbai police had sent two proposals for his extradition, adding that the Centre will take a call on the agency that will first get his custody.

With inputs from agencies