Delhi politician Manjinder Singh Sirsa attacks Punjab government over Mad Sandhu murder

Delhi politician Manjinder Singh Sirsa has accused the Punjab government of leaving the state in the "hands of the mafia" after the fatal shooting of popular social media influencer Mad Sandhu in Amritsar.

Sandhu, a prominent makeup artist and digital creator with more than 2.2 lakh Instagram followers, was shot dead on Saturday evening at a car wash on Loharka Road. Two unidentified men on a motorcycle approached Sandhu around 6 pm and fired multiple rounds at close range before fleeing. Sandhu was rushed to a nearby private hospital but died during treatment.

The murder has sparked a fierce political backlash, with opposition leaders accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration of failing to maintain basic security in Punjab.

Sirsa said the state's law and order had completely broken down under AAP's watch. He claimed that extortionists, drug syndicates, and gang networks are now operating without fear of the authorities. "If even a village Sarpanch is not safe, then who is safe?" Sirsa asked, pointing to a string of recent high-profile crimes in the state.

Congress leaders have also stepped up pressure on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla claimed that Sandhu had been receiving threat calls for a long time and had even raised the issue publicly on social media. Aujla questioned why the police failed to act on those warnings, adding that local business owners and shopkeepers are constantly being targeted by extortionists. Senior Congress leader Raj Kumar Verka demanded Mann's immediate resignation.

Sandhu was a well-known figure in Punjab's digital space, celebrated for his work as a fashion stylist and makeup artist. He frequently appeared on podcasts to discuss the local entertainment industry, and was an outspoken voice on LGBTQ+ and gender issues. His unconventional style and identity often made him a target of online abuse. He had previously spoken about the challenges of growing up in a conservative environment, and a few months ago, a Nihang Sikh had publicly criticised his clothing and content, claiming it corrupted the youth.

Amritsar police have launched a massive hunt for the killers. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Siri Vennela confirmed that the attackers fired two to three rounds at close range. Deputy Commissioner of Police PS Virk said that special teams have been formed and have already secured some leads, though the motive behind the killing remains unclear.

The tragedy highlights a worrying pattern of violence against online creators in Punjab. In June, Ludhiana-based creator Kanchan Kumari was murdered, and in August, Kharar influencer Manjeet Kaur died after she was allegedly kidnapped and set on fire.