Mad Sandhu News: Punjabi LGBTQ+ Influencer Shot Dead in Amritsar

The Killing of Mad Sandhu in Amritsar

On October 3, 2026, Mad Sandhu, a prominent Punjabi social media influencer and makeup artist, was shot dead in Amritsar. The attack occurred around 6 p.m. on Loharka Road while Sandhu was visiting a shop to collect his car from a wash service. According to police reports, two unidentified men on a motorcycle opened fire at close range, leaving Sandhu with multiple bullet injuries. He succumbed to his wounds while being transported to a private hospital [1].

Background and Influence

Known by his real name Madhusudan, Sandhu had built a significant digital presence with 2.26 lakh followers on Instagram. Beyond makeup artistry, he was a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and gender issues, frequently discussing these topics on digital platforms and podcasts. His reach extended into the entertainment industry, having acted in the Punjabi film 'Oye Bhole Oye' [2].

Allegations of Moral Policing and Threats

The mad sandhu death has sparked intense debate regarding moral policing in Punjab. Reports indicate that a Nihang Sikh group had previously raised objections to Sandhu's social media content, clothing, and older videos, claiming such material could negatively impact the youth and the culture of Punjab [2]. Sandhu had reportedly responded to these objections by stating he had changed his approach and stopped repeating past mistakes, while alleging that old videos were being reshared specifically to incite controversy.

Furthermore, Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla stated that Sandhu had been receiving threats for a long time and had openly mentioned these concerns on social media before the attack [1].

Police Investigation and Political Fallout

Amritsar police have recovered two empty bullet shells from the scene and stated they have "solid leads" to identify the culprits. However, as of October 4, 2026, authorities have not officially linked the killing to the objections raised by the Nihang group, noting that they are investigating multiple angles, including personal enmity and past threats [2].

The incident has led to a political clash in Punjab. Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Raj Kumar Verka and MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, have slammed the AAP government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for law-and-order failures. Verka demanded Mann's resignation, arguing that the government failed to protect the life of a common citizen [1].

Comparison: Pattern of Content-Based Violence

Victim	Location	Reported Motive/Context
Mad Sandhu	Amritsar	LGBTQ+ advocacy; objections to clothing/content by a Nihang group.
Kanchan Kumari	Bathinda	Strangled over "immoral content" believed to hurt Sikh sentiments.