Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's Photo In Hanuman Jayanti Rally? Hyderabad Cops To Probe

The appearance of a placard displaying jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi‘s photo during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Koti, Hyderabad, on Wednesday triggered widespread attention and debate on social media platforms.

Clips circulating online showed participants carrying the placard while riding motorcycles and walking as part of the rally. According to a report in The Times of India, the visuals quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions; while some users criticised the act, others appeared to support it.

Several individuals also reportedly tagged Hyderabad police in their posts, demanding action against those involved.

Hyderabad Police Response

According to the TOI report, Hyderabad city police stated that they would identify the individuals responsible and call them

in for counselling. A senior police official said that registering a criminal case was not being considered at this stage.

“It was not appropriate to display Lawrence Bishnoi’s image during a religious procession. We will summon those involved and counsel them,” the report quoted the official as saying. Police also confirmed that no intervention was made during the rally itself.

Authorities noted that the placard not only carried Bishnoi’s image but also reportedly included a provocative caption, further adding to concerns over its use in a religious gathering.

Lawrence Bishnoi, believed to be the head of a criminal network, is currently lodged in a prison in Gujarat.

Who Is Lawrence Bishnoi?

Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, a product of a gangster-terror network nexus, has been named by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in several high-profile cases, including his links with banned terror group Babbar Khalsa International, and smuggling of arms and ammunition from Pakistan.

Last year, the 31-year-old incarcerated gangster was named a key accused in the sensational murder of 66-year-old Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader who was gunned down in Mumbai. Bishnoi, who has been in custody for nearly a decade, has been operating his terror-crime syndicate from jails wherever he has been lodged over the years.

Despite the NIA taking significant steps towards dismantling Bishnoi’s criminal network, he continues to execute his design through a large group of henchmen and sharpshooters in several states, especially in the North and Western parts of India.