First Photo of Anmol Bishnoi from Jail Surfaces After NIA Arrest; Family Reacts to His Detention

The NIA has released the first photograph of Anmol Bishnoi, accused in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, after he was brought back to India on Wednesday, 19 November. He will be produced before Delhi’s Patiala House Court.The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Anmol Bishnoi, the brother and close associate of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, following his deportation from the US to India.A key figure in the Bishnoi crime syndicate, Anmol had been absconding since 2022 and is the 19th accused to be apprehended in connection with the terror-gangster network led by his jailed brother.

Despite residing in the US, Anmol allegedly coordinated extortion rackets, oversaw arms movements and sheltered shooters associated with the gang. Investigators found that he offered logistics, funding channels and safe houses to ground operatives, helping to execute attacks and sustain the gang’s influence across multiple states.Anmol Bishnoi faces at least 18 criminal cases in India. Among them are conspiracy to murder former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique, involvement in the killing of Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala on May 2022, and the firing outside actor Salman Khan’s residence, among many others.

Earlier on Wednesday, Anmol Bishnoi's cousin Ramesh Bishnoi urged the Central government to ensure the former’s safety after he arrival in India. While speaking to ANI, Ramesh said that Anmol is being punished only for being Lawrence Bishnoi's younger brother.“The law will take its course. Our family respects the law and we are law-abiding people, but today our main concern is that if he (Anmol Bishnoi) is being brought to India, the Indian government should ensure his safety. This will be our demand,” he said."We have always respected the law and will continue to do so... He (Anmol Bishnoi) is being punished only for being Lawrence Bishnoi's younger brother. The investigation will reveal everything,” he added.

A native of Punjab's Fazilka district, Anmol Bishnoi fled India in 2021 on forged passport and had been on the run since. According to investigators, he first went to Nepal before moving through Dubai and Kenya, following which, he reached the US.In the US, he was last publicly seen in April 2023 at an event in Bakersfield, California. He was arrested earlier this year, following which, his deportation process started.