US State Department remains tight-lipped on Anmol Bishnoi's deportation amid extradition process

Washington DC (The Uttam Hindu): : The US State Department declined to comment on the potential deportation of Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, amid ongoing extradition efforts. Anmol Bishnoi is wanted in connection with a firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence earlier this year. In response to questions regarding Bishnoi's deportation, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He added that it would be more appropriate for those agencies to comment on the issue, as they have direct oversight. “It would be appropriate, if anyone is going to comment on such a report, it would be the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, not the State Department. I prefaced it that way because they may decline to comment, but I certainly am not going to comment on something that falls within their jurisdiction,” said Miller.

This statement comes after Anmol Bishnoi's detention in California by US Immigration authorities last week. Sources have indicated that FBI officials, in coordination with Indian security agencies, are discussing the possibility of deporting him back to India to face charges. Bishnoi, a key figure in organized crime, is linked to several criminal activities. He is wanted in India for his involvement in the firing at Salman Khan's residence and the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique. He is also facing charges in two separate cases registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2022.

Earlier, on October 25, the NIA announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to Anmol Bishnoi's arrest. Mumbai Police Crime Branch has already initiated the extradition process to bring him back to India. Authorities are intensifying efforts to apprehend Bishnoi, who is considered a significant player in the world of organized crime. As the legal proceedings continue, both Indian and US agencies remain engaged in efforts to ensure justice in the high-profile case.