U.S. Charges Bishnoi Gang in Nijjar Murder; 37 Indicted in Operation Hard Ball

The U.S. Department of Justice charged 37 people across three indictments on July 7 in what prosecutors called the largest-ever action against India-based transnational organized crime networks. Lawrence Bishnoi, imprisoned in India, and his lieutenant Satinderjeet Singh (Goldy Brar) face charges for ordering the June 2023 killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey, B.C. gurdwara. Operation Hard Ball resulted in 24 arrests across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Who was charged and what are the crimes

Lawrence Bishnoi, 33, of Punjab, and Satinderjeet Singh (Goldy Brar) are accused of ordering Nijjar’s assassination as part of a global criminal enterprise. Bishnoi faces nine counts including racketeering conspiracy, extortion, and narcotics conspiracy. The indictment alleges Bishnoi operates a crime group with thousands of members worldwide, including hundreds in Canada and the U.S., while imprisoned in India since 2015. Brar remains at large; the FBI offered a $50,000 reward for his arrest.

The Nijjar killing and extortion network

Bishnoi allegedly provided a photo of Nijjar to one of four men previously accused of killing him on June 18, 2023. Court documents show Brar called Nijjar’s killer multiple times claiming responsibility. The gang also targeted others: Brar allegedly demanded $500,000 from an immigration consultant in Surrey, leaving voice messages threatening “bullets coming your way.” Bishnoi and associates attempted extortion in Ontario, California, and Britain, according to court filings.

Operation Hard Ball arrests and scope

The two-year investigation involved the FBI, RCMP, and police agencies in multiple countries. Twenty-four suspects were arrested in the U.S., Canada, and Europe; law enforcement is searching for 10 fugitives. The three indictments also target Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, 38, imprisoned in India, and Ravinder Dhanda, 57, of White Rock, B.C. Charges include murder-for-hire, drug trafficking, kidnappings, weapons trafficking, and cocaine and methamphetamine distribution across international borders.

Canada clears India, shifts diplomatic stance

The RCMP stated on July 8 that there is “no evidence to suggest” Indian government officials were linked to Nijjar’s killing. This reverses former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2023 allegation that Canadian intelligence had found a “potential link” between Indian agents and the murder. Current Prime Minister Mark Carney has worked to improve Canada-India relations. RCMP Deputy Commissioner Moreland confirmed the Indian government cooperated with the investigation. Sikh community leaders say the shift feels like a “complete U-turn” that abandons earlier claims.

Final Thoughts

The U.S. charges provide the first criminal accountability for Nijjar’s death, but the RCMP’s statement clearing India signals a major diplomatic reset. For Canadians, the case underscores how transnational crime networks exploit weak borders and corrupt officials to operate across continents.

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