After Dharmjit Mand’s residence and farm in Caledon, Ontario, became the target of gunfire on November 25, 2025, he relocated his family to his brother’s home assuming they would be secure. However, on December 11, bullets penetrated the garage and windows of the new location.
Thankfully, no injuries resulted from the shootings, which are currently under investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Mand disclosed that the ordeal initiated with a series of WhatsApp messages and calls in October. Allegedly, an individual affiliated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang demanded a payment of $2 million from Mand. When Mand refused, the individual began issuing threats.
Following the shooting on November 25, Mand received a video from the individual, showing his farm being shot at, as confirmed by CBC News. Subsequently, after the December 11 incident, the man warned Mand that his head would be the next target, heightening the fear and anxiety within Mand’s family.
The Bishnoi gang, previously designated as a terrorist group by the Canadian government, has been implicated in targeting South Asian residents in various cities including B.C., Brampton, and now Caledon. According to the OPP, there have been approximately 41 extortion-related incidents in Caledon since December 2023, displaying similar patterns. While it remains unclear how many of these incidents are directly linked to the Bishnoi gang, victims have reported receiving threatening calls and messages demanding ransom, often with the perpetrators possessing knowledge of their residences or workplaces.
Expressing concern over the escalating situation, Caledon’s Mayor, Annette Groves, emphasized the need for federal intervention due to the town’s limited resources in combating the issue. Mayor Groves implored the federal government to take action to halt the international extortion activities plaguing their community.
According to OPP spokesperson Jesse Nobleman, there have been 14 reported shootings associated with extortion cases similar to Mand’s in Caledon. The OPP has apprehended five individuals in connection with these incidents, with ongoing investigations continuing.
In a recent incident, a local business targeted multiple times in recent weeks prompted Mayor Groves to highlight the urgent need for additional law enforcement resources. She mentioned that approximately $70,000 was allocated by the province to install CCTV cameras in high-risk areas to aid law enforcement in apprehending the culprits.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, originating in India and expanding its criminal activities into North America, is believed to be behind the extortion cases in Caledon, as stated by Canadian police sources. Although the organized criminal links have been acknowledged by the OPP, the specific gang involved has not been disclosed to avoid legitimizing their activities or jeopardizing ongoing investigations.
Despite Mayor Groves’ plea for federal assistance, no commitment has been received yet from the government. However, she has been invited to participate in an anti-extortion summit scheduled for the following week, hoping for concrete actions to address the pressing issue.
In a parallel effort, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown has also advocated for a specialized task force funded by the federal government to tackle organized crime, similar to the initiative supported in B.C. While awaiting a response from the federal government, the safety and security concerns have prompted Mand to contemplate relocating his family to the U.S. after a decade of residing in Caledon.