Delhi Shocked After Gunmen Open Fire on Car Carrying Lawyer Linked to Lawrence Bishnoi; One Injured
New Delhi, India — New Delhi has once again witnessed a violent incident linked to criminal networks after unidentified assailants opened fire at a car carrying a lawyer connected to notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi on Tuesday night near the Kashmere Gate Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) , a busy transit hub that serves millions of commuters annually. The attack, which took place at around 10 pm, left one person seriously injured and has raised fresh concerns about security and the continuing threat of gang-related violence even in the heart of the Indian capital.
According to police, the vehicle contained five occupants, including advocate Deepak Khatri, who represents members of Bishnoi’s legal team in various proceedings. The group had reportedly visited the Marghat Wale Hanuman Temple before the shooting and were sitting inside the car when the assailants struck, turning a routine evening into a scene of terror.
Details of the Attack
Witnesses and preliminary police reports indicate that two or three unidentified men on a motorcycle approached the stationary car and opened fire on it without warning, in a style characteristic of gangland assassinations. Multiple bullets were fired into the vehicle, shattering glass and threatening the lives of those inside as they sat trapped with nowhere to go. One of the occupants, identified as Sandeep, sustained gunshot injuries to his shoulder and was rushed to a nearby hospital by his companions. Police say he is currently in stable condition and expected to survive.
Khatri, the lawyer at the centre of the attack, escaped unhurt despite the hail of bullets directed at the vehicle. After the gunfire erupted, the driver managed to drive the wounded man away from the scene to seek help, according to officials, preventing further casualties.
Delhi Police have registered a formal FIR at Kashmere Gate police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act, based on the complaint filed by Khatri, launching a full investigation into the incident.
Police Response and Investigation
Senior police officials, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia, have confirmed that officers arrived at the scene shortly after the attack and launched an immediate probe into the circumstances. A forensics team has been deployed to collect evidence including bullet casings and other trace materials, and investigators are combing through CCTV footage from around the ISBT and Kashmere Gate area to trace the movements of the attackers and potentially identify their vehicle.
Banthia noted that the accounts of the occupants regarding the number of attackers and the precise sequence of events vary, which is typical in chaotic situations where split-second decisions matter. “Some are saying there were two assailants, others said three,” he said, adding that these discrepancies will be clarified once evidence and testimony are consolidated and witness statements verified.
At the time of reporting, the identities of the gunmen remain unknown, and no arrests have been made. Police have, however, said the matter is being investigated from multiple angles to determine whether the attack was personally motivated, gang-related, or intended to intimidate legal professionals associated with criminal cases.
Context: Bishnoi Connection and Threat Environment
The incident has drawn heightened scrutiny because of its connection to Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious criminal figure whose gang has been implicated in several high-profile crimes across northern India, earning a fearsome reputation. Bishnoi — originally from Punjab — is currently incarcerated but commands a large network that law enforcement agencies abroad and in India have linked to extortion, murders, and other violent offences that span multiple states.
His gang has been under intense investigation for years, particularly after being accused of involvement in the 2022 assassination of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, a killing that drew global attention to the reach and coordination of organized crime syndicates operating across borders and even internationally. The case highlighted how gang networks can target individuals regardless of security.
Whether the shooting on Tuesday night was directly connected to these wider gang dynamics — or a reaction to threats or pressures related to ongoing legal battles — remains unclear and under investigation. Police say they are also exploring claims that the lawyer had previously received threats, although that aspect is still under verification as part of the wider probe into possible motives.
Public Safety and Legal Profession Concerns
The attack has alarmed law enforcement and civil society observers alike, raising questions about the safety of legal professionals who handle sensitive cases. Delhi Police officials have urged calm but also emphasised the importance of protecting legal professionals, who often handle cases involving dangerous figures and are sometimes targeted as a result of their professional duties.
Safety protocols for lawyers and others connected with high-profile criminal cases may be reviewed in light of the latest incident, officials hinted, as the justice system relies on advocates being able to work without fear of reprisal.
In the immediate term, police are urging anyone with information related to the incident — including witnesses or individuals who might have seen the attackers fleeing the scene — to come forward and assist with the investigation. No motive has yet been confirmed, and authorities emphasise that a full investigation will seek to clarify all possible scenarios.
A Moment of Reflection for Safety in Delhi
Tuesday night’s shooting serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can spill over into public spaces when criminal rivalries and legal battles intersect, creating risks for ordinary citizens caught in the vicinity. As the investigation continues, residents of the Kashmere Gate area — normally bustling with commuters and shoppers heading to and from the bus terminal — have been left rattled by the sudden outbreak of violence in a place they consider safe.
In the coming days, Delhi Police hope to piece together more information that will lead to the identification and arrest of the attackers, and provide answers for what remains a troubling and unsettling episode in the city’s law-and-order landscape. The incident underscores the persistent challenge of organized crime and the need for continued vigilance.
Conclusion
The shooting near Kashmere Gate ISBT adds another chapter to Delhi’s struggle with gang violence, this time targeting a lawyer connected to one of India’s most feared criminal networks. As police investigate, questions remain about security, motive, and whether the attack signals broader gang conflicts.
Gunfire in the capital. A lawyer targeted. Delhi’s gang wars continue.
