In an unprecedented security move, a Delhi court conducted proceedings at the National Investigation Agency headquarters after gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol Bishnoi, sought protection against death threats from a Pakistani gangster.
Unprecedented Court Hearing at NIA Headquarters
Special Judge (NIA) Prashant Sharma made legal history by holding court proceedings inside the NIA headquarters, marking perhaps the first instance of its kind in India. The judge exercised powers under Section 12 of the NIA Act 2008, which permits special courts to hold proceedings at locations other than their ordinary sitting place when deemed expedient or desirable.
The decision came after considering multiple factors including security concerns for court staff and the inconvenience that would be caused by heavy security arrangements at regular court premises. During recent proceedings, NIA's Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi had informed the court about the available powers under Section 12, following which the court agreed to the unusual arrangement.
Social Media Threats Trigger Security Concerns
Advocate Rajani, representing Anmol Bishnoi, filed an application citing serious threats to her client's life from Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti. The application highlighted recent Instagram posts where the foreign-based criminal allegedly threatened and openly challenged Lawrence Bishnoi to protect his brother and maternal uncle.
The legal plea emphasized that such social media threats cannot be taken lightly, pointing to a March 2025 incident in Jalandhar, Punjab where a grenade was hurled at a social media influencer's residence following similar online threats. This pattern demonstrates clear escalation from digital threats to real-world violence, according to the application.
Advocate Rajani sought additional safeguards including armed police protection and transportation in bulletproof vehicles with protective jackets for the accused. The application stated that both Bishnoi and his legal counsel have genuine apprehension of imminent danger to their lives and liberty.
Extended Custody and International Connections
During the hearing at NIA headquarters, Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi sought ten days of additional custody for Anmol Bishnoi, who had already completed eleven days in NIA custody. The agency justified the extension request by stating that Bishnoi had disclosed information about an international network in Europe that requires further investigation.
Sources revealed that the NIA is also tracing arms supplied from Pakistan that were allegedly distributed among Bishnoi's gang members. Following the hearing, the court granted the NIA seven days of additional custody for further investigation.
Anmol Bishnoi faces over 30 criminal cases across India and is accused of managing extortion operations for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The criminal syndicate operates across multiple states including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi. Central agencies are particularly focused on his alleged involvement in several high-profile cases including the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in May 2022, the killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique last year, and the firing incident outside actor Salman Khan's residence.
International Dimensions and Legal Status
Anmol Bishnoi's legal troubles span international borders. After fleeing to the United States in May 2022 allegedly on a fake passport, his asylum application was rejected by a Louisiana court. The US Immigration Department discovered that one of the reference letters from a company attached to his travel documents was forged.
He was deported from the United States and arrived in India last Wednesday around 1 PM, where he was immediately arrested by the NIA. In January 2025, he had been declared a proclaimed offender, and the NIA has announced bounties of Rs 10 lakh each in two separate cases involving him.
The case has attracted international attention, with the US Department of State seeking information about cases involving Bishnoi's direct involvement and financial details in March this year. This request came in response to India's extradition request submitted in January last year.
The legal team assisting Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi includes advocates Jatin, Shubham Goyal, Amit Rohilla, and Priyansh Raj Singh, indicating the complexity and significance of this high-profile case that continues to unfold with new developments.
