Noted Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, who had joined the Congress before the Punjab elections, was killed by gangsters in an attack near his ancestral village Jawaharke in district Mansa, Punjab on Sunday. The incident happened within 24 hours after his security was withdrawn by the Punjab government. More than 30 rounds were fired on the vehicle he was travelling in.
Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar has claimed responsibility for Sidhu Moose Wala’s murder. Brar, who has close ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, said in a Facebook post that he had killed Moose Wala to avenge the death of gangster Vicky Middukhera. Punjab Police are in the process of remanding Lawrence Bishnoi, a close associate of Goldy Brar, who is lodged in Tihar Jail number 8. He will be questioned in connection with the shooting.
Based on a complaint by Moose Wala’s father, an FIR has been registered under sections: 302, 307, 341, 148, 149, 427, 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.
Born on June 11, 1993, Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu aka Sidhu Moose Wala belonged to the Moose Wala village in Mansa district. Moose Wala had a fan following running into millions and was popular for his rap. He was shot over 30 times by around eight to 10 attackers, police sources said this morning. Even after firing that many shots, the attackers checked whether he was alive, sources say.
Moose Wala held a degree in electrical engineering. He had learned music during his college days and had later moved to Canada.
Sidhu Moose Wala, 28, originally Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, had contested the Punjab election as a Congress candidate from Mansa and was defeated by AAP candidate Vijay Singla. Vijay Singla was sacked last week by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over charges of corruption.
On Sunday, Moose Wala left his house around 4:30 pm with his cousin Gurpreet Singh and neighbour Gurwinder Singh. Moose Wala was driving the Mahindra Thar SUV, according to the police, and his father was following him in another car. CCTV footage that emerged on social media showed two cars trailing Sidhu Moose Wala’s SUV. The video has not been verified by the state police. When the SUV reached the village Jawaharke, it was intercepted and blocked by two cars. There was heavy firing from the front on Sidhu Moose Wala, in front of his father. He died on the spot. His father took him to hospital, where he was declared dead.
Surjitt Sahani
