The investigation into the murder of Punjabi queer influencer Madhusudan “Mad” Sandhu has led to nine arrests, with three more suspects apprehended in the state of Gujarat this past week. Sandhu was shot and killed outside a garage in Amritsar on 3 October in what police believe was a targeted attack linked to his pro-LGBTQ+ social media presence.
The three men most recently detained were identified as Harsimranjit Singh, Fateh Singh, and Arman Singh. According to the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the trio fled Punjab after the killing and were intercepted in the city of Vapi while attempting to reach a hideout in Maharashtra.
A Multi-State Manhunt
The arrests highlight a significant multi-state police operation. Information shared between law enforcement in Punjab and Gujarat was key to tracking the suspects. Officials stated the men's profiles and location data were shared with a special operations group, which acted quickly to detain them before they could flee further.
Previous arrests in the case have shed light on the planning behind the attack. Six other men are in custody, with alleged roles ranging from being the main shooter to tracking Sandhu's movements and arranging the weapons and getaway vehicle used in the crime.
Investigators uncovered a crucial lead by tracing a payment of 16,000 rupees (approximately €180). This money is believed to have been sent by a network run by a foreign-based gangster to the suspected main shooter. In a clever move, police tricked one of the key suspects into scanning a QR code sent from his brother's phone, which revealed his location in Gujarat and led to his arrest.
Motive: Homophobia and Gang Notoriety
The motive appears to be a chilling combination of homophobia and organized crime. Within hours of Sandhu's murder, a social media post attributed to a member of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang accused Sandhu of being a “bad influence on the state’s youth.”
Police have confirmed the gang's involvement. Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill suggested the killing was also a way for the gangsters to “earn notoriety.” He stated that such acts are used to create “fear and terror in the minds of the public and businessmen” to facilitate extortion rackets.
This case underscores the dangerous intersection where the visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals can make them targets for extremist views and, simultaneously, for criminal organizations looking to make a violent statement. Reports indicate that in the months before his death, Sandhu had faced online threats and had even requested police protection, adding another tragic layer to his death.
