Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal has received a death threat from a caller claiming to be a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The caller demanded a ransom of ₹7 crore and threatened to kill Kejriwal and his daughter Harshita Kejriwal if the money was not paid. The threat was sent through phone calls and WhatsApp messages to AAP’s Tilak Nagar MLA Jarnail Singh, who was used as an intermediary.
Jarnail Singh filed a complaint with the SSP of Mohali on 6 November 2026, and Mohali Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. The news became public on 12 November. In this Election Guru explainer we cover how the threat came, what the police are doing, the Bishnoi gang’s record of threats against public figures, Kejriwal’s security and the political reactions.
Kejriwal Death Threat at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Targets | Arvind Kejriwal and his daughter Harshita Kejriwal |
| Threat claimed in the name of | Lawrence Bishnoi gang |
| Demand | ₹7 crore ransom |
| Mode | Phone calls and WhatsApp messages to MLA Jarnail Singh |
| Complainant | Jarnail Singh, AAP MLA from Tilak Nagar (Delhi) |
| Complaint filed | 6 November 2026, with SSP Mohali |
| Case | Registered under BNS and IT Act |
| Investigating officer | Inspector Sunil Kumar, Cyber Crime Police Station, Mohali |
| Arrests | None reported so far |
How the Threat Came
According to ETV Bharat, the sender contacted Jarnail Singh through phone calls and WhatsApp messages, claiming to be a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. He demanded ₹7 crore and threatened to kill Kejriwal and his daughter if the amount was not paid. Jarnail Singh said he was being used as an intermediary to pass the ransom demand and threat to Kejriwal. He submitted a screenshot of the WhatsApp message along with his complaint.
What the MLA Asked Police to Do
- Obtain Call Detail Records (CDR), IP logs and location traces of the accused’s mobile number
- Identify and arrest the accused and anyone linked to him
- Coordinate with security agencies to protect Kejriwal and his family
Police are examining call records, IP logs and location data linked to the number. It is not yet confirmed whether the caller is actually linked to the Bishnoi gang or is using its name to spread fear, which is common in extortion cases.
Why Mohali Police?
Although Kejriwal and Jarnail Singh are Delhi leaders, the complaint was filed in Mohali, Punjab, where AAP is in government and where Kejriwal spends considerable time as the party’s national convener. One report said Delhi Police were also involved, but most reports say the case was registered by Mohali Police and is being investigated by its cyber crime unit.
Who Is Lawrence Bishnoi?
Lawrence Bishnoi is a gangster from Punjab who has been in jail for years but whose network is accused of running extortion and targeted killings across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and Maharashtra. His name has been used in many threat calls to celebrities, businessmen and politicians. Not every threat made in his name is actually from his gang, which is why police verify each case.
| Year | High-Profile Case Linked to Bishnoi Gang (as alleged / reported) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala; gang associates named |
| 2023-24 | Repeated threats to actor Salman Khan; firing outside his Mumbai home in April 2024 |
| 2024 | Killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique in Mumbai; gang links probed |
| 2026 | Threat to Arvind Kejriwal in the gang’s name |
Separately, reports said that Harry Boxer, alias Harichand Jat, allegedly associated with the Bishnoi gang, was detained by US authorities in California on 7 November 2026. The sources do not link that detention to the Kejriwal threat.
Kejriwal’s Earlier Threats and Security
This is not the first threat against Kejriwal. Reports note that he received a death threat in 2019 while he was Delhi Chief Minister. As a former Chief Minister and national party chief, he has security cover, and the MLA has asked agencies to review it after this threat.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Kejriwal founds Aam Aadmi Party |
| 2013 | Becomes Delhi CM for the first time |
| 2015 and 2020 | AAP wins big majorities in Delhi |
| 2019 | Receives a death threat while CM |
| 2022 | AAP wins Punjab |
| 2024 | Resigns as Delhi CM; Atishi takes over |
| 2025 | AAP loses Delhi Assembly election to BJP |
| 2026 | Death threat with ₹7 crore demand in Bishnoi gang’s name |
Who Is Harshita Kejriwal?
Harshita Kejriwal is Arvind Kejriwal’s daughter. An IIT Delhi graduate, she has occasionally campaigned for AAP but is not an elected representative. Threats against family members of politicians are taken especially seriously by security agencies, since they are often less protected.
Legal Provisions in Such Cases
| Offence | Law |
|---|---|
| Extortion | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 |
| Criminal intimidation (threat to kill) | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 |
| Threats via electronic messages | Information Technology Act, 2000 |
| Organised crime (if gang link proven) | BNS provisions on organised crime |
The exact sections in the FIR have not been made public.
Political Context: Kejriwal and Punjab 2027
The threat comes at a politically sensitive time. AAP is preparing for the Punjab Assembly election 2027 and released its second list of 31 candidates on 12 November. Kejriwal is AAP’s main campaigner, and his security during rallies and travel in Punjab will be a key concern for police over the coming months. Punjab has a history of gangster-related violence, and the AAP government has said it is cracking down on gangs and drug networks.
Also Read: AAP Punjab Candidate List 2027: Second List of 31 Names
What Happens Next
- Police will trace the caller using call records and IP data
- Agencies will check whether the caller has any real link to the Bishnoi gang
- Kejriwal’s security arrangements may be reviewed
- AAP may raise the issue of law and order and security of opposition leaders
How Extortion Calls in Gangsters’ Names Work
Police across North India say a large number of extortion calls use the names of well-known gangs like Lawrence Bishnoi’s, Goldy Brar’s or others to frighten victims into paying. In some cases the callers are genuine gang members operating from abroad or from jail through phones; in others, they are small-time criminals or even pranksters using the gang’s reputation. Calls often come through internet-based numbers or foreign SIMs, which makes tracing harder. Police usually advise victims not to pay, to save all messages and call details, and to report immediately.
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Report the threat to police immediately | Pay any money |
| Save screenshots, numbers and call recordings | Delete messages or block before reporting |
| Inform family and staff | Share details on social media before police act |
| Seek security review if you are a public figure | Try to negotiate with the caller |
Security Cover for Leaders in India
Security for political leaders is decided by central and state agencies based on threat assessments. Categories range from X and Y to Z and Z-plus, with Z-plus being the highest. Former Chief Ministers usually retain some security based on threat perception. After threats like this one, agencies typically review a leader’s security, especially during public events and travel. With the Punjab campaign about to heat up, Kejriwal’s security during rallies will be closely watched.
| Category | Typical Cover |
|---|---|
| Z-plus | Highest; large team of commandos and police |
| Z | Large team including commandos |
| Y-plus / Y | Smaller team of armed personnel |
| X | One or two armed guards |
Threats to Politicians: A Growing Concern
Threats against political leaders have become more frequent in recent years, often delivered through social media, WhatsApp and internet calling apps. Leaders across parties, from Chief Ministers to MLAs, have reported threats, and many cases involve claims of links to gangs operating from abroad. Police forces in Punjab, Delhi, Haryana and Maharashtra have set up special units to track gangster networks and extortion rackets. The Kejriwal case will test how quickly agencies can trace a caller using a gang’s name and whether there is any real organised crime link behind it.
Election Guru Analysis
Threats to political leaders are a serious matter, whoever is behind them. The use of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s name shows how a jailed gangster’s reputation is now used as a tool for extortion across states. Police need to quickly establish whether this is a genuine gang threat or an impersonation. With Punjab heading into an election in early 2027, the safety of leaders on the campaign trail will be a major responsibility for the state and central agencies.
Arvind Kejriwal Death Threat FAQ
Who threatened Arvind Kejriwal?
A caller claiming to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang threatened Kejriwal and his daughter. Police are verifying whether the caller is actually linked to the gang.
How much money was demanded from Kejriwal?
The caller demanded a ransom of ₹7 crore.
How was the threat sent?
Through phone calls and WhatsApp messages to AAP’s Tilak Nagar MLA Jarnail Singh, who was used as an intermediary.
When was the complaint filed?
Jarnail Singh filed a complaint with the SSP of Mohali on 6 November 2026.
Which police are investigating?
Mohali Police have registered a case under the BNS and the IT Act, and the Cyber Crime Police Station is investigating.
Was Kejriwal’s daughter also threatened?
Yes. The caller also threatened to kill his daughter Harshita Kejriwal.
Has anyone been arrested?
No arrest had been reported at the time of writing.