Kejriwal, daughter get 'death threat' from Lawrence Bishnoi gang, Rs 7 crore extortion demand

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his daughter Harshita have allegedly received death threats from a person claiming to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, with the caller demanding Rs 7 crore in extortion, police said.

Punjab Police registered a case at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Mohali on November 7 following a complaint filed by Delhi AAP MLA Jarnail Singh.

According to the complaint, Singh received a threatening phone call and WhatsApp message on November 6 from an individual who claimed to be a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

The caller allegedly demanded Rs 7 crore from Kejriwal and threatened to kill both him and his daughter if the money was not paid.

𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐀𝐩𝐩

In his complaint, Singh quoted the caller as saying, "Lawrence Bishnoi gang se bol raha hun, Arvind Kejriwal ko bol de, 7 crore de do nahin to Arvind Kejriwal or uski ladki Harshita Kejriwal ko jaan se maar dunga."

The statement translates to a threat to kill Kejriwal and his daughter unless the former Delhi Chief Minister paid Rs 7 crore.

Singh said the alleged threats raised serious concerns about the safety of Kejriwal and his family.

"Given his stature as a high-profile figure, the threat has caused national and public security risks. The sender has unlawfully used my position as an elected representative to channel extortionist demands and death threats directed at Arvind Kejriwal and his family. The acts committed by the sender constitute serious offences," Singh stated in his complaint.

The MLA sought an extensive investigation to identify the person responsible and prevent any possible attack.

𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭

Singh requested investigators to examine call detail records, internet protocol logs and the location of the device used to issue the threats.

He also called for coordination among relevant law enforcement and security agencies to ensure adequate protection for Kejriwal and his family.

Based on the complaint, Mohali Police registered an FIR under Sections 308(4), 351(2), 351(4) and 111(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act.

The sections relate to extortion, criminal intimidation, criminal intimidation through anonymous communication and organised crime.

The identity of the caller and the claimed association with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang remain subject to investigation.

𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐉𝐏 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema strongly condemned the alleged threats and claimed that preliminary findings suggested the accused had links with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"The person who issued the threat belongs to Haryana, and preliminary findings have indicated his direct or indirect links with the BJP. The BJP wants to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Punjab and create an environment of fear and insecurity in the state," Cheema alleged in a statement.

The minister's allegations concerning political links have not been independently established.

Cheema said Punjab was a peace-loving state and that attempts to create fear or disrupt communal harmony would not be tolerated.

He maintained that threatening the life of a political leader was a serious matter requiring firm action.

The minister also asserted that the authorities would take strict legal action against those responsible in accordance with the law.

𝐀𝐀𝐏 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

AAP Punjab chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal also condemned the alleged death threats and demanded that those involved be identified and prosecuted.

"AAP leaders are neither afraid nor will we bow down to such threats. We will not stop working for the people of Punjab and the country," Dhaliwal said.

He further demanded that any conspiracy behind the threats be exposed and those responsible brought to justice.

"Those involved in this conspiracy must be exposed before the public. Strict legal action will be taken against them and they will be sent to jail," he added.

The case remains under investigation, with police expected to examine the electronic evidence and trace the origin of the threatening communication.

Authorities have not yet publicly confirmed the identity of the accused or verified the caller's claimed connection with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.