After experiencing two shootings at his Caledon, Ontario residence and farm on November 25 and December 11, 2025, Dharmjit Mand relocated his family to his brother’s home, hoping for safety. The incidents, currently under investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), were preceded by threatening WhatsApp messages and calls Mand received in October from an individual claiming affiliation with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. This person demanded $2 million from Mand, escalating to threats when the demand was not met.
Following the shootings, the perpetrator sent Mand a video showing the farm being shot after the first incident and warned of targeting Mand’s head after the second. Mand expressed his unease, stating, “We cannot sleep.”
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, previously designated as a terrorist group by the Canadian government, has been implicated in targeting South Asian individuals in various regions, including British Columbia, Brampton, and now Caledon. The OPP reported at least 41 extortion incidents in Caledon since December 2023, displaying a recurring modus operandi where victims are coerced into paying ransoms under threat of violence, often with knowledge of their personal details.
Caledon’s mayor, Annette Groves, highlighted the town’s limited resources in combating the issue and urged federal intervention. She penned a letter to the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety on December 23, seeking support to address the escalating extortion activities.
According to OPP spokesperson Jesse Nobleman, 14 shootings in Caledon were linked to extortion cases, leading to the arrest of five individuals with ongoing investigations. Recent incidents prompted the installation of CCTV cameras in targeted areas with provincial funding of approximately $70,000. Mayor Groves emphasized the necessity for increased police presence in local municipalities due to the severity of the situation.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, originating from India and extending its criminal activities to North America, is suspected to be involved in the extortion cases in Caledon, as per Canadian police sources. Nobleman refrained from specifying the criminal group to avoid legitimizing them or jeopardizing ongoing legal proceedings.
Despite efforts to seek federal aid, Mayor Groves has yet to secure government commitment. However, she has been invited to an upcoming anti-extortion summit, hoping for significant actions from authorities. Mand, contemplating relocation to the U.S. after feeling unsafe in Caledon, reflects the heightened fear and insecurity within the community.