Is Anmol Bishnoi making a strategic move, closing door to extradition to India?

WASHINGTON: Anmol Bishnoi, brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and accused in several cases, is reportedly trying to seek asylum in the US. Anmol was arrested in California, US, the other day. He is being held at the Potawatomi Kandi jail in Iowa.

Anmol has filed an application for asylum in the US through his lawyer as the Mumbai police have started efforts to bring him to India. His details are available on the US prison website. The website says that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which deals with cross-border crimes and undocumented immigration, is investigating a case related to Anmol. The arrest is said to be for illegal entry into the country.

It is reported that Anmol had applied for asylum in the US through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, before his arrest. Since the process for this has been initiated, it is not possible for Anmol to be extradited to India or other countries immediately. US law allows bail in such cases. India's move is in anticipation of this.

The NIA has found that Anmol Bishnoi conspired to kill Baba Siddique. Anmol has been accused in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and the shooting incident at Bollywood actor Salman Khan's house. Anmol, who controlled the gang after Lawrence Bishnoi's arrest, crossed into Canada last year.

Anmol is wanted by authorities in several cases, including the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in 2022. He is also wanted by investigators in the murder of Baba Siddique and the firing outside actor Salman Khan's residence. The Mumbai Crime Branch had started efforts to extradite him from the US earlier this month. A special court in Maharashtra has also issued a non-bailable warrant against him.

Anmol is on the NIA's most wanted list. He is an accused in two cases registered by the National Investigation Agency. An Interpol Red Corner Notice has been issued against Anmol Bishnoi. The NIA had also announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information about him.