Sabarmati Central Jail authorities have denied any involvement of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in a Facebook post claiming responsibility for the murder of Sukhdool Singh Gill, alias Sukha Duneke, in Canada. Duneke, believed to be an ally of the Bambiha gang, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants on Wednesday. Following his death, rival gangs from Punjab, including Bishnoi’s and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s factions, posted separate claims of responsibility on Facebook.
Shweta Shrimali, Superintendent of Sabarmati Central Jail, emphasized that Bishnoi had no role in the social media post. She stated, “It is not the case that Lawrence posted this from here (in jail). It is possible that there are several fake social media accounts operating under his name, it is possible it could have been posted by anyone… Regarding the social media post, I can assure that it was neither posted by him nor did he consent to such a post because nobody came to visit him and nobody asked for his consent. It can be anyone who posted this, without his approval or consent.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs had restricted Bishnoi’s movements within the prison under Section 268 of the Criminal Procedure Code on August 30. Bishnoi was initially taken into custody by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in April in connection with the seizure of 38.994 kg of heroin worth Rs 194.97 crore off the Jakhau coast in Kutch in September 2022. Subsequently, UAPA charges were added against him in the same case in August.
An ATS official stated that the case was later transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Bishnoi was in NIA custody from September 14 to 18 after the MHA’s restrictive order was temporarily revoked. On September 18, he was returned to Sabarmati Central Jail under judicial custody.
Bishnoi’s lawyer, Anand Brahmbhatt, expressed concern that he was not allowed to meet his client. “The NIA public prosecutor informed that a Central government order has been passed under CrPC Section 268 that has been presented before the court. I went to meet him in jail as his advocate, but I was not permitted to meet him,” he said.
Furthermore, Bishnoi objected to being labeled a “gangster and terrorist” and submitted an application to a special NIA court in Ahmedabad on September 18, urging the court to address this issue with the investigative agency. In his application, he stated, “I have my own perception and concepts to view my past and future but I strongly object if anyone addresses me as a terrorist or a gangster… I have never been convicted in any case till date. Yet, I have been treated as a convicted prisoner.”
News Summary: Authorities at Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad have refuted claims of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s involvement in a Facebook post taking responsibility for the murder of Sukha Duneke in Canada. Duneke, a suspected ally of the Bambiha gang, was killed by unknown assailants. Rival Punjab gangs, including Bishnoi’s, posted claims on Facebook. Jail authorities emphasized that Bishnoi had no role in the post and cited the possibility of fake accounts. Bishnoi’s movements within the prison were previously restricted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and he faces charges related to a significant heroin seizure. His lawyer raised concerns about not being able to meet his client, and Bishnoi objected to being labeled a “gangster and terrorist.”