How Lawrence gang built network in MP:Hires local shooters via social media; asks up to ₹10 Cr in ransom case

On the night of March 16 in Khargone district, firing occurred at the house of organic cotton businessman Dilipsingh Rathore. Police investigation revealed that the firing was carried out by people associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. This was the first case in Madhya Pradesh linked to the Lawrence gang involving firing after threats. The investigation also revealed that in MP, this gang was being operated by Lawrence’s henchman Rajpal Singh Chandrawat. Rajpal, who demanded a ransom of 10 crores from the businessman, surrendered before the police. Meanwhile, the police arrested 15 other people. How exactly did the Lawrence gang enter MP, how did Rajpal operate it, where were the shooters brought from, how were targets and tasks set? Answers to all these questions in this report Who is Lawrence Bishnoi? Rajpal’s Connection with Lawrence Gang and Khargone Case Police investigation revealed that Rajpal had been associated with the Lawrence gang for 10 years. He was a key figure handling the gang’s operations in MP. He stayed in contact with the gang through the Signal app. This app is not easily detected. He started from Nagda and gradually became active in Indore, Dewas, Khargone, and Ratlam as well. After the Sidhu Moosewala murder case in May 2022, in February 2023, the NIA (National Investigation Agency) had also interrogated Rajpal. That was the first time Rajpal’s name was linked with Lawrence. In the Khargone case, he took responsibility for orchestrating the firing at the businessman’s house. He got reconnaissance done by his people. Provided the shooters. Then also got the firing video made. Later, this same video was sent demanding a ransom of 10 crores. Connected youth through FB, Insta and encrypted apps Social media became the biggest weapon for establishing the gang’s network in Madhya Pradesh. The investigation revealed that local handlers associated with the gang would search for such youth through Facebook, Instagram and encrypted apps who were already of criminal tendency or were angry with the system. They were given a narrative of ‘delivering justice’ and ‘fighting against oppression’. Rajpal would influence youth by portraying himself as a support for the oppressed in society. Shooters were prepared at local level for attacks The gang avoided bringing its members directly to the forefront. For tasks like attacks and firing, shooters were prepared at the local level. For this, small-time criminals, miscreants and such youth were targeted who could be lured with money or the temptation of joining the gang. In many cases, youth committing crimes for the first time were also used, so that police attention could not reach directly to the gang’s core network. With this strategy, the real members of the gang remained safe behind the scenes and the faces executing the incidents kept changing repeatedly. The gang’s entire operation was run in a highly organized manner Police investigation revealed that the gang’s entire operation was run in a highly organized manner. First, the target was identified. Usually, big businessmen, real estate traders, or people involved in land disputes were the targets. After this, their complete profile was prepared. Information from family members to their daily movements was collected. Then, calls were made from international numbers demanding ransom ranging from 5 to 10 crore rupees. On refusal, threats to kill were issued. When the target wouldn’t bend, the shooter would be activated. He had clear instructions – not to kill, but to create an atmosphere of fear by firing. After this, the pressure for ransom would be increased further. People associated with the gang would present themselves as big gangsters The gang wasn’t limited to just crime, but was also promoted in a well-planned manner. Videos of incidents like firing would be made and used later. On social media, people associated with the gang would present themselves as big gangsters. Rajpal and his associates copied the look and style of gangsters like Anandpal Singh and Lawrence Bishnoi. The purpose was clear – to create such an atmosphere in the area that just hearing the name would generate fear and ransom would be obtained without even committing a crime. Calls were made from America to make tracing difficult Threatening calls were the most important link in the entire network. These calls were usually made from abroad, especially from America, so that the number would appear international and tracing it would be difficult. The caller had complete information about the target. Such as – family, business and even daily routine. This made the victim feel that the gang was monitoring their every activity. This fear was so effective in many cases that the victim avoided reaching the police and was forced to pay the ransom directly. Before surrendering, Rajpal said – Police is harassing the family I used to run a private school, but some people got it shut down. After that, I joined the Lawrence gang. Our aim is to take action against wrongdoings happening in society. We can come out anytime by evading the police. Some industrialists of Nagda are also on our target. The police is harassing the family, that’s why I am surrendering. Through social media, harassed people connect with us and we help them. I haven’t met Lawrence directly, but I am in contact with those who run the gang. I consider him as elder brother. Our associate Yogesh Bhati is in police custody. Police action continues, also keeping watch on social media Khargone SP Ravindra Verma said that 16 people have been arrested in the Khargone case. Raids are being conducted in search of some others. Yogesh Bhati is not in our custody. Rajpal is lying. He is currently absconding. The role of the Lawrence gang has come to light during interrogation of Rajpal. Action is being taken on every small and big clue obtained from him. Meanwhile, Ujjain SP Pradeep Sharma said, there were old cases against Rajpal too. No such gang is active on social media right now. Still, our cyber teams are constantly keeping watch. If any criminal tries to threaten someone on social media, the police takes immediate action.