Former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and his daughter, Harshita Kejriwal, have allegedly received death threats from a person claiming to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The caller reportedly demanded Rs 7 crore and threatened to kill the two if the money was not paid.
The threat was brought to the attention of the police by AAP's Tilak Nagar MLA Jarnail Singh, who said he had received a phone call and a WhatsApp message from an individual claiming to be a member of the gang. The caller allegedly claimed to have links abroad.
Singh subsequently approached the police in Mohali, Punjab, and lodged a complaint on November 6, detailing the extortion demand and the threats against Kejriwal and his daughter.
Mohali police register case, cybercrime unit begins probe
Following the complaint, the Mohali police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
The investigation has been assigned to Sunil Kumar, an officer of the cybercrime unit. Investigators are examining call records, Internet Protocol (IP) logs and location data associated with the mobile number allegedly used to send the threats.
The probe is aimed at identifying the caller and establishing whether the person has any actual links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Singh has also sought adequate security arrangements for Kejriwal and his family in view of the alleged threat.
Lawrence Bishnoi gang under scrutiny over extortion and targeted killings
The latest threat has once again brought the Lawrence Bishnoi gang into focus, with the organised crime network repeatedly being named in investigations involving extortion, shootings and targeted killings.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has previously stated that Bishnoi operated his criminal syndicate from prison, allegedly in coordination with gangster Goldy Brar and other criminals based abroad.
According to the agency, the network relied on local shooters and safe houses spread across several states to carry out criminal activities.
The alleged threat against Kejriwal and his daughter is now being investigated to determine whether it was part of a wider extortion operation or an attempt by an individual to falsely invoke the gang's name.
Punjab political backdrop
The complaint comes at a politically significant time in Punjab, where the AAP is in power under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The state is also approaching its next Assembly election, scheduled for 2027.
Kejriwal, who served as Delhi chief minister before the AAP lost power in the 2025 Assembly election, continues to be a prominent national leader of the party.
The police investigation is expected to establish the identity of the caller, the authenticity of the alleged gang links and the extent of the threat to Kejriwal and his family.