Delhi: Lawrence Bishnoi gang member commits ‘suicide’ in prison

August 16, 2025

New Delhi: A Lawrence Bishnoi gang member serving his sentence under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) charges, committed suicide under mysterious circumstance by hanging himself in Mandoli Jail in Delhi on Saturday morning, an official said. A probe has been ordered to rule out foul play in the incident.

Inmate Identified as Salman Tyagi
The body of Salman Tyagi, who was serving a term after conviction in a number of cases, including murder, extortion and possession of illegal arms, was found hanging in Jail Number 15, said an official.

Tyagi, allegedly active in West Delhi, was earlier linked to the rival Neeraj Bawana gang.

Past Criminal Record and Jail Incidents
Last year, while remaining in jail, he had allegedly executed a firing incident in Rajouri Garden to extort Rs 50 lakh from two businessmen.

After his unnatural death in prison on Saturday, officials have launched a probe to rule out foul play or involvement of gang war, said the official.

Circumstances of Death
According to officials, they received information in the morning that Salman had hanged himself using a bedsheet.

He was rushed to the jail hospital where the medical officer declared him dead. The body has been sent for post-mortem to determine the exact cause of his death.

Enquiry Under Prison and Security Laws
The incident created a flutter in the prison complex, run by the Delhi government, even as the jail administration launched a probe into the mysterious circumstances.

As per the Delhi Prisons Act, an enquiry by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) is also ordered in cases of jail inmate deaths, especially when considered unnatural or suspicious.

This is usually a magisterial enquiry under Section 176 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).

Procedure for Handling Inmate Deaths
In Delhi prisons, when an inmate dies, the body is released to their family or relatives if claimed, unless there are reasons like infectious disease or potential for public demonstration.

If the body is not claimed, it is disposed of respectfully in line with the Delhi Prisons Transfer of Prisoner, Labour and Jail Act, which outlines procedures for handling deceased inmates.