Daily
250 words
5/10
Rating

10 July 2026

Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate and threats to Salman Khan

While the specific criminal case is a matter of law and order, the involvement of the US Department of Justice and the transnational nature of the syndicate provide relevant context for understanding the nexus between organized crime, cyber-enabled extortion, and international security challenges.

1 min read Day 2 of 3 1 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has indicted three Punjab-linked transnational organised crime syndicates, including the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate.
  • The syndicate operates across India, Canada, the U.S., and Europe, with 37 individuals charged to date.
  • The Bishnoi syndicate utilizes a decentralised structure where members often have limited knowledge of other associates, except for the leadership.
  • Recruitment strategies involve targeting impoverished minors in India with promises of money, fame, and protection.
  • The syndicate facilitates criminal operations abroad by sending members to the U.S. and Canada on student and foreign worker visas.
  • The DoJ indictment highlights the use of encrypted communication platforms like WhatsApp and Signal for extortion and issuing threats.
  • The syndicate has demonstrated the capacity to coordinate acts of violence and intimidation across international borders, involving law enforcement entrapment operations.

Part of a longer story

This is day 2 of 3 in U.S. investigation into transnational organized crime syndicates linked to Punjab, which has been running since 9 July 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. The rise of transnational organised crime syndicates operating across borders poses a significant challenge to internal security. Discuss the implications of decentralised criminal networks for law enforcement agencies and suggest measures to enhance international cooperation in curbing such threats. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. With reference to the structure of modern transnational organised crime groups as highlighted in recent reports, which of the following best describes their operational model?