Two unidentified men on a bike pulled up to Mad Sandhu in Amritsar and opened fire around 6 pm on Saturday. The 30s influencer, found blood-soaked on the road, died while being rushed to the hospital. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Sirivennela confirmed the shooting, stating that police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Sandhu, whose full first name was Madhusudan, was one of the most visible LGBTQ+ personalities in the region. He built a massive following on Instagram and YouTube by sharing luxury lifestyle content, makeup tutorials, and open commentary on gender norms. He also acted in Punjabi films, including the 'Oye Bhole Oye' series, and frequently appeared on podcasts to discuss the film industry and social issues.
The killing comes exactly one year after a similar murder in Bathinda. In that case, radical Nihang Sikh vigilante Amritpal Singh Mehron claimed responsibility for the murder of influencer Kanchan Kumari, arguing her content was 'vulgar.' Mehron was deported from the UAE and arrested at Delhi airport on April 10, 2026, with murder charges framed against him by a Bathinda court.
Sandhu was no stranger to online hostility. He regularly faced homophobic trolling on social media but responded with defiance, often stating, 'God has made me the way I am.' His open identity and viral presence made him a target for those who view LGBTQ+ visibility as a threat to traditional social structures in Punjab.
The murder also occurred hours after a separate killing in Mullanpur, Ludhiana, where a man died after unidentified assailants opened fire on his car. Police are investigating multiple angles in that case, including old enmity and gang rivalry. The juxtaposition of these two violent incidents in a single weekend has heightened fears of escalating lawlessness in the state.
Police are currently tracing the suspects through surveillance footage and witness statements. As of now, no official motive has been confirmed, but the timing and method mirror the vigilante attacks seen in the region. The investigation will determine whether this was a targeted hit or part of a broader campaign of violence against public figures.