Punjab’s creator community is in mourning after Mad Sandhu, a popular LGBTQ+ influencer and makeup artist, was shot dead on Loharka Road in Amritsar on Saturday. Two motorcycle-borne assailants carried out the attack, and a gangster has since claimed responsibility, even as police launched a wide investigation.
According to police officials, the attack took place when Sandhu was on Loharka Road. The two assailants, riding a motorcycle, opened fire at close range and sped away before passersby could react. Sandhu was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Senior police officers reached the spot within minutes, cordoned off the area and began collecting forensic evidence. Officials said CCTV footage from cameras along the route is being scanned to identify the shooters and trace their escape. Multiple teams have been formed, and checkpoints have been set up across the city.
Gangster claims responsibility
In a chilling development, gangster Goldy Dhillon claimed responsibility for the killing in a social media post, as reported by several news outlets. Police said they are verifying the authenticity of the post and examining every possible angle, including whether the claim is genuine or an attempt to grab attention.
Warnings issued months earlier
Reports indicate that Nihang groups had issued warnings to Sandhu months before the killing over his clothing and social-media content. The warnings had triggered a debate at the time, with many creators and activists describing them as an attack on personal expression. Whether there is any connection between those warnings and the killing is something the police are expected to look into as part of the probe.
Who was Mad Sandhu
Mad Sandhu had become one of Punjab’s most recognisable digital creators, building a large following through makeup tutorials, fashion content and an unapologetically open personality. As one of the state’s few openly LGBTQ+ influencers with mainstream reach, he was seen by many young followers as a symbol of courage. Fellow creators remembered him as warm, generous and fearless — someone who regularly collaborated with newcomers and used his platform to encourage self-expression.
Community in grief, probe under way
As news of the death spread, tributes poured in from across the entertainment and creator communities. The killing has been described as a grim reminder of the threats faced by public figures who live openly.
Police officials have appealed to the public to come forward with any information and urged restraint against speculation while the investigation continues. No arrests had been reported at the time of filing this report, and security around sensitive locations in the city has been reviewed, officials added.
The killing has also reignited a larger conversation about the safety of public figures, particularly those from marginalised communities, who live their lives in the public eye. For now, Amritsar waits for answers — and justice for Mad Sandhu.
