The bustling streets of Amritsar turned tragic on Saturday evening when Mad Sandhu a 30-year-old gay Punjabi influencer and makeup artist, was shot as he waited outside a car-wash centre. Two men on a motorcycle opened fire at around 6 p.m., leaving Sandhu gravely wounded. He was rushed to a private hospital but succumbed to his injuries before reaching the operating theatre.
Police arrived at the scene shortly after the shots were heard and retrieved two empty cartridge cases. Investigators are now analysing CCTV footage from nearby shops and the forensic evidence found on the pavement. The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sirivennela, confirmed that the perpetrators were unidentified and that the attack appeared to be pre-planned, suggesting that Sandhu may have been tracked before the shooting.
Investigation and alleged claims of responsibility
Within hours of the murder, a Facebook profile bearing the name ‘Goldy Dhillon’ posted a message claiming the killing and accusing Sandhu of “spoiling” Punjab. Authorities have flagged the post as potentially fake and are treating it as part of the ongoing probe. Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill dismissed the claim, describing the messages as “unauthentic” and likely posted by individuals outside the country.
Police have also received several social-media posts from self-identified “cultural saviours” who suggested the murder was a justified act of “moral policing.” The department, however, stresses that no concrete link to any extremist group has been established yet. Officers have recorded statements from Sandhu’s family and are following leads that could point to a targeted assassination rather than a random act of violence.
Pattern of violence against online personalities
Sandhu’s death follows a chilling pattern of attacks on Punjabi social-media figures. In June 2025, Kanchan Kumari, known online as “Kamal Kaur Bhabhi,” was murdered after being lured under the pretense of a paid brand collaboration. Police identified Amritpal Singh Mehron, a self-styled Nihang vigilante, as the mastermind; he later fled to the United Arab Emirates, was deported, and now faces murder charges in a Bathinda court.
Just hours before Sandhu’s killing, another young man, Ladi Khan, was shot dead in a drive-by attack on a Hyundai i20 travelling near Mullanpur, Ludhiana. The assailants, riding a Hyundai Verna, opened fire after following the vehicle. While the motive for Khan’s death remains unclear, investigators are considering possibilities ranging from personal grudges to gang rivalry. The proximity of these incidents has amplified concerns about a broader surge in targeted gun violence in Punjab.
Mad Sandhu’s public life and the backlash he faced
Born Madhusudan Sandhu, the creator rose to fame through Instagram reels that blended luxury fashion tips, makeup tutorials, and outspoken commentary on gender norms. He amassed over 226,000 followers, contributed to a few Punjabi films—including the “Oye Bhole Oye” series—and ran a small salon in Amritsar. His content often challenged the conservative expectations of a Jat Sikh upbringing, prompting both admiration and vitriolic trolling.
Sandhu was no stranger to online harassment. He frequently rebuked homophobic comments with the phrase, “God has made me the way I am.” In a 2021 motivational talk for Josh Talks, he described living a “double life” in a hyper-masculine environment and urged younger viewers to accept themselves despite societal pressure. A leaked phone conversation from July this year shows a Nihang-affiliated figure demanding that Sandhu stop using the surname “Kaur” and urging him to record a “reformation” video. Sandhu’s response was a calm reminder of his faith and identity, but police have not yet connected that exchange to the shooting.
After the news of his death broke, fans poured out messages of grief on Instagram, with many highlighting his bravery and the void his absence creates in the community. While some commenters hinted at the possibility of a hate-based motive, the police have so far found no direct evidence that the attack was driven by homophobia.
As the investigation continues, authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that the case is being treated as a serious crime with potential premeditation. The broader conversation now centers on the safety of public figures in Punjab, the role of extremist “vigilante” groups, and the urgent need for protective measures for LGBTQ voices in a traditionally conservative region.
