NEW DELHI: Mumbai on Sunday witnessed another assassination bid linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, this time targeting actor Tiger Shroff. Yet, Mumbai Police cannot secure the custody of either Lawrence Bishnoi or his younger brother and close associate Anmol Bishnoi.A day after the firing incident targeting Jackie Shroff’s son, actor Tiger Shroff, Mumbai Police and Rajasthan Police have arrested three accused in the case. Mumbai Police are now expecting to secure their custody for further interrogation.The city has witnessed several high-profile incidents linked to the gang, including the assassination of NCP leader Baba Siddique, firing outside superstar Salman Khan’s residence and an attack outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s home in Juhu.Despite these incidents, Mumbai Police face hurdles in securing the brothers’ physical custody for interrogation in cases registered in the city. Lawrence is currently lodged at Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, while Anmol, who was deported from the US in 2025, remains lodged at Delhi’s Tihar Jail.The latest firing incident has again brought the brothers into focus and raised questions over why Mumbai Police cannot take them into custody for interrogation.The primary hurdle is a ministry of home affairs(MHA) order restricting the brothers’ movement from their respective prisons.
Why Mumbai Police can’t get Lawrence Bishnoi’s custody
In August 2023, the MHA issued an order under Section 268 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), preventing Lawrence from being taken out of prison for any purpose. The order was initially valid for a year and was subsequently extended. The restriction was renewed under Section 303 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which replaced the CrPC.Section 268 of the CrPC empowered the government to prevent a prisoner from being removed from jail, overriding orders requiring the prisoner’s production before a court under Section 267. Section 303 of the BNSS provides a similar power to the state or central government, subject to the conditions specified in the law.The restriction has posed a hurdle for Mumbai Police, which has sought Lawrence’s custody in connection with cases registered in the city. In 2024, the crime branch approached the Union home ministry seeking permission to take his custody in connection with the firing outside Salman Khan’s residence.Police later sought his custodial interrogation in the Baba Siddique murder case as well.Lawrence faces multiple cases, including those involving murder, attempted murder, extortion and alleged drug and weapons smuggling, across states including Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra. He is also in the NIA’s custody-related legal framework in connection with a case probing alleged terror funding to Khalistan supporters.The MHA restriction means that Mumbai Police cannot simply transfer Lawrence from Sabarmati Jail to Mumbai for questioning. Any access to him has to comply with the restrictions in force.
Similar MHA order for Anmol Bishnoi
The MHA issued a similar order for Anmol on December 5, 2025, barring police and investigating agencies from taking his physical custody for one year. The order requires agencies seeking to interrogate him to do so at Tihar Jail.Anmol was deported from the US in November 2025 and arrested by the NIA. He is a key accused in the Baba Siddique murder case and has also been linked to the firing outside Salman Khan’s residence.
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The restriction has created a similar hurdle for Mumbai Police in securing his custody for investigations in Maharashtra. Although agencies can seek to question him, they must do so within the limits imposed by the MHA order.
Security concerns and court appearances
Lawrence’s court proceedings have also involved security concerns. After his counsel moved an application citing a threat to his life, a special NIA judge shifted hearings from the regular courthouse to the NIA headquarters.Lawrence has also frequently appeared before the court through videoconferencing.With both brothers lodged in different prisons and subject to MHA restrictions, Mumbai Police face a legal and procedural barrier to bringing them to the city for custodial interrogation.
