Punjabi influencer and makeup artist Mad Sandhu was shot dead in Amritsar on Saturday evening and investigators are now looking into several possible angles behind the killing. One of the controversies being revisited is a dispute Sandhu had with Nihang jathedar Manpreet Singh Khalsa a few months before his death.
The July controversy centred on Sandhu’s social-media content, clothing and some of his older videos. Khalsa had objected to the material and warned Sandhu against posting content that he said could negatively influence Punjab’s culture and youth.
Now, after Sandhu was killed in a shooting on Loharka Road, that earlier dispute has once again come under scrutiny. However, police have not established any connection between the July controversy and Sandhu’s murder. The motive remains under investigation.
What Happened To Mad Sandhu?
Sandhu was attacked around 6pm on Saturday on Loharka Road in Amritsar. According to police, two unidentified motorcycle-borne men opened fire at him before fleeing the scene. Sandhu was taken towards a private hospital but died from his injuries while being transported. Police recovered two empty shells from the spot and formed teams to identify the attackers. CCTV footage from the area is also being examined.
Police officials have said they have leads in the case but have not publicly identified the suspects or established the motive. A video showing the aftermath of the shooting has also circulated on social media. Reports have described the footage as showing Sandhu injured on the road, with people trying to help him.
What Was The Nihang Controversy Involving Mad Sandhu?
Months before his death, Sandhu became involved in a public controversy involving Nihang jathedar Manpreet Singh Khalsa. The dispute was reportedly linked to Sandhu’s social-media activities, his clothing and older videos that had resurfaced online.
The Nihang side objected to some of the content and warned Sandhu against material it considered harmful to Punjab’s culture and young people. The controversy gained attention online after an alleged telephone conversation between Sandhu and Khalsa circulated.
Sandhu subsequently said that he had changed and would not repeat what he described as mistakes from his past. He also alleged that people were deliberately resharing his older videos to create a fresh controversy around him.
Why Was Mad Sandhu Warned About His Social Media Content?
The objections were reportedly related to the nature of some of Sandhu’s online content, including his appearance, clothing and older videos. According to reports, Khalsa had warned Sandhu that such content could have a negative influence on Punjab’s culture and youth.
Sandhu’s response at the time was that he had changed his content and was no longer repeating those earlier mistakes. He also maintained that old material was being brought back into circulation.
Did The Nihang Controversy Have Anything To Do With Mad Sandhu’s Murder?
There is no confirmed answer yet. The timing has brought renewed attention to the earlier dispute, and Times of India reports that the controversy has come under the lens of the investigation. However, the same report makes clear that there is currently no official indication that the July dispute was connected to Saturday’s shooting.
The Tribune also reports that police are investigating the motive and that no one has claimed responsibility for the killing so far. Therefore, it would be premature to say that Sandhu was killed because of the Nihang controversy.
What Other Angles Are Police Investigating?
Police have not publicly limited the investigation to Sandhu’s earlier controversy. Officials have said multiple angles are being examined to establish the motive. Investigators are also working to identify the two motorcycle-borne attackers and are examining CCTV footage from the area. Two empty bullet shells were recovered from the scene, while statements from Sandhu’s family members have also been recorded. At this point, the identities of the shooters and the reason for the attack remain unknown.
Who Was Mad Sandhu?
Mad Sandhu, whose full name was Madhusudan Sandhu, was a makeup artist, stylist and social-media influencer from Amritsar. He built a following through Instagram reels, fashion and makeup content, vlogs, memes and commentary on social issues. His Instagram account had more than two lakh followers, while his profile also identified him as the founder of Manelane, a unisex salon in Amritsar.
Sandhu had also worked in the fashion and entertainment industries as a stylist and assistant costume designer and appeared on podcasts discussing makeup, movies, gender and social issues.
Did Mad Sandhu’s LGBTQ+ Identity Play A Role In His Killing?
Sandhu was open about being gay and had faced criticism and homophobic trolling during his social-media career. He had defended his identity publicly, including with the sentiment that God had made him the way he was. But there is currently no police statement establishing that his sexual orientation or LGBTQ+ advocacy was the motive for the shooting.
What Happens Next In The Mad Sandhu Murder Case?
Police have registered a case and formed teams to trace the attackers. CCTV footage is being examined, forensic evidence has been collected from the scene and investigators are questioning people connected to Sandhu as they work to establish the sequence of events. Police have said they have leads and expect to identify the culprits.
