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Police Investigate Mad Sandhu’s Motorcycle Killing in Amritsar

By Drooid · Oct 4, 2026, 2:02 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Mad Sandhu Shot

Police say LGBTQ influencer Mad Sandhu was shot dead by men on a motorcycle in Amritsar.
The shooting happened around 6 pm on Loharka Road as Sandhu stopped to collect his washed car.
Police recovered two empty shells and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify assailants.
A Facebook post by ‘Goldy Dhillon’ claimed responsibility, prompting police investigation.
Earlier, a Nihang Sikh threatened Sandhu, saying his videos harmed Punjab’s culture and youth.

Summary

Police File FIR

Police recorded statements from Mad Sandhu’s family and filed an FIR shortly after the shooting.
Mad Sandhu was the son of a retired Punjab Police inspector, giving his family a law-enforcement connection.
He founded the Mane Lane Unisex Salon in Amritsar, expanding his brand beyond online content.
His Instagram account had about 2.26 lakh followers, and his final reel posted Oct 3 featured Punjabi farewell lyrics.

Summary

KS Makhan Dispute

Mad Sandhu clashed with Punjabi singer KS Makhan over lifestyle comments on a live show.
The dispute escalated on social media, with both accusing each other of misrepresentation.
Police are probing whether the KS Makhan feud motivated Sandhu’s killing.
Investigators have not linked the singer’s dispute to the unidentified motorcycle attackers.
Authorities will examine the feud’s timeline alongside other leads, reflecting broader Punjab entertainment-influencer tensions.

History

Historical Context

The 1998 murder of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard sparked nationwide outrage and led to the first federal hate-crime legislation targeting LGBTQ people. Three assailants—Aaron McKinney, Russell Henderson, and later a co-conspirator—were convicted, and the case generated a $1.5 million civil settlement for Shepard’s family. Like Shepard’s killing, Mad Sandhu’s October 2023 shooting in Amritsar involved social-media antagonism, a threatened cultural backlash, and accusations of harming regional values. The Shepard case inspired the 2009 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, suggesting probe could push Indian courts toward LGBTQ safeguards.

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Mad Sandhu Shot

Police say LGBTQ influencer Mad Sandhu was shot dead by men on a motorcycle in Amritsar.
The shooting happened around 6 pm on Loharka Road as Sandhu stopped to collect his washed car.
Police recovered two empty shells and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify assailants.
A Facebook post by ‘Goldy Dhillon’ claimed responsibility, prompting police investigation.
Earlier, a Nihang Sikh threatened Sandhu, saying his videos harmed Punjab’s culture and youth.

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