Punjabi makeup artist and social media influencer Mad Sandhu, whose real name was Madhusudan Sandhu, was shot dead in Amritsar on Saturday. Known for makeup, fashion, films and outspoken conversations about gender and identity, Sandhu had built a large online following. Police are hunting the motorcycle-borne attackers while examining a viral claim of responsibility linked to Goldy Dhillon gang.
India Today reported that the post was purportedly attributed to Goldy Dhillon and Jagga Tarn Taran. Police sources cited by India Today said he was believed to be abroad. He was taken to a private hospital but died from his injuries. Police registered an FIR on the basis of his family’s statement and began checking CCTV footage and other evidence from the area. Police have not publicly established the motive behind the murder and are examining more than one possibility. The claim has not been independently verified. Gurpreet Singh, known as Goldy Dhillon, has been linked by Punjab Police to extortion, targeted killings and criminal networks operating in India and overseas. Sandhu’s clothes, makeup and online videos had repeatedly drawn hostile comments. A few months before his death, a video involving Sandhu and a Nihang Sikh circulated online after objections were raised to his content and clothing. Police have not connected that episode to Saturday’s murder. Sandhu was the son of a retired Punjab Police officer. His online career had taken him from professional styling and makeup work to films, podcasts and a large social media audience. Police teams are now trying to identify the two men seen fleeing the Loharka Road shooting and determine who ordered the attack.
The shooting took place at around 6 pm on Saturday on Loharka Road in Amritsar.
Police said Sandhu had gone to collect his car from a washing centre when two men arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire before escaping. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Siri Vennela said around two to three rounds were fired. An eyewitness told police that Sandhu was shot from close range. Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill said investigators had “solid leads” and expected to identify and arrest those involved. Police are examining the post, and investigators have not said that the stated reason in the message has been established as the motive for the attack. Sandhu later said older videos were being circulated again and that he had changed the style of some of his content.
He has also figured in earlier investigations and an NIA charge sheet.
