Lawrence Bishnoi Video: The Gujarat government has launched an investigation after a video surfaced allegedly showing gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, currently imprisoned at Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Central Prison, speaking to Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti via a video call. The 19-second unverified clip, which emerged on social media on Tuesday, shows Bishnoi wishing Bhatti on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, which was observed in India on June 17. Bhatti responds that the festival would be celebrated in Pakistan the following day, to which Bishnoi replies he would call him again to extend his Eid wishes.
The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified by ABP News.
However, the state government has responded by ordering a thorough investigation. According to news agency ANI, Gujarat government spokesperson and Education Minister Rushikesh Patel announced the probe, stating, "I learnt about this issue just today (Tuesday) morning. Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi has already ordered a probe into it and asked the authorities to go into detail. Every aspect related to the purported video, such as whether it is new or an old one, will be investigated."
Bishnoi, a notorious figure implicated in several high-profile crimes, including the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, was transferred to Ahmedabad from Punjab in August 2023 by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for his involvement in a cross-border drug smuggling case. After his remand period ended, he was placed in judicial custody at Sabarmati Central Prison. Bishnoi's gang has also been linked to the firing outside actor Salman Khan’s residence in Mumbai in April 2024.
Lawrence Bishnoi Video: SAD Leader Bikram Singh Majithia Rues 'Gangsters Can Act Without Restraint Even While Incarcerated'
The video has sparked political reactions as well. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia shared the clip on social media platform X, asserting that Bishnoi's ability to communicate with external criminal elements from prison demonstrates his continued influence and operational freedom behind bars. "Despite giving a live interview from Punjab jail, Punjab's CM and Home Minister Bhagwant Mann formed an SIT to investigate, but the probe shows ZERO RESULTS," Majithia posted. He further remarked, "His gang continues to threaten Salman Khan, with multiple attacks on Khan's residence. Such activities pose significant risks to public safety when gangsters can act without restraint even while incarcerated."
This incident follows previous controversies involving Bishnoi, including televised interviews from jail. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had previously directed the Punjab police to file FIRs in connection with these interviews aired in March 2023, though the Punjab Police denied that the interviews were conducted while Bishnoi was in their custody.