The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) released a detailed statement on July 8, 2026, accusing Punjab‑born gangster Lawrence Bishnoi of using WhatsApp, Signal and other encrypted messaging platforms while incarcerated in Ahmedabad’s high‑security Sabarmati jail. According to the DoJ, Bishnoi attempted to extort roughly $5 million from individuals in Los Angeles and Thousand Oaks between December 2025 and January 2026.

DoJ’s Core Allegations

Beyond extortion, the DoJ links Bishnoi and his associate Satinderjeet Singh, alias “Goldy Brar,” to the ordered killing of pro‑Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The department asserts that Bishnoi’s “enterprise routinely targeted prominent religious, social and political leaders with violence,” using high‑profile attacks to terrorise and extort community members.

Communication Inside the Prison

Prison officials maintain that Bishnoi has been held in solitary confinement since 2023 under 24‑hour CCTV surveillance. Nevertheless, the DoJ claims he smuggled “contraband cell phones and voice‑over‑Internet‑Protocol (VoIP) devices” into his cell, allowing him to direct assassinations, kidnappings, drug trafficking, human smuggling and other crimes from within the jail.

Alignment with NIA’s 2022 Chargesheet

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a comprehensive chargesheet in 2022 that listed 84 cases against Bishnoi across Delhi, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Punjab. That document already described Bishnoi as operating his gang from inside prison walls. It cited incidents such as the November 2023 shooting at a Vancouver residence of a well‑known Indian actor, and a Facebook warning in Punjabi: “No one can save you from us.”

Defense Lawyer’s Rebuttal

Bishnoi’s counsel, Rajni Khatri, argued that her client is under constant video monitoring and has no access to external communication devices. “If he was using WhatsApp to carry out extortion activities from jail, the authorities must produce supporting evidence,” Khatri said, adding that Bishnoi has been discharged or acquitted in 40 other cases.

Political and International Ramifications

The allegations have the potential to strain Indo‑U.S. diplomatic ties, especially as the DoJ ties Bishnoi’s extortion proceeds to funding for “pro‑Khalistan extremists” in Canada, Dubai, Thailand and Australia. NIA previously noted that a sizable portion of money generated through Bishnoi’s rackets is wired abroad, supporting extremist networks and further complicating India’s internal security landscape.

Ultimately, the case underscores the urgent need for robust digital surveillance in Indian correctional facilities and deeper intelligence sharing between Indian and U.S. law‑enforcement agencies. If Bishnoi truly orchestrated an international crime syndicate from a jail cell, it signals a critical security gap that must be addressed promptly.