Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Punjabi Influencer Mad Sandhu Shot Dead in Amritsar
Mad Sandhu was a makeup artist and social media creator from Amritsar.
He made videos about beauty, fashion and life, and spoke about gender and LGBTQ+ acceptance.
Two people on a motorcycle shot him on Loharka Road around 6 p.m.
on a Saturday.
He had gone to collect his car from a car wash.
He died after being shot, although reports differ about whether he died on the way to hospital or during treatment.
Police are investigating and have not confirmed who attacked him or why.
They are also examining a Facebook post that claimed responsibility.
Some reports mention an earlier disagreement about his videos and clothes, but police have not confirmed a connection.
A Congress politician criticized the state government over safety and law enforcement.
Mad Sandhu, whose name was reported as Madhusudan or Madhusudan Sandhu, was a makeup artist, fashion creator and social media influencer from Amritsar.
Police said two unidentified men on a motorcycle shot him around 6 p.m. on Loharka Road while he was collecting his car from a car wash.
Sandhu died from his injuries; most reports say he died while being taken to hospital, while one says he succumbed during treatment at Fortis Hospital.
Police said the motive and attackers’ identities had not been established and that they were pursuing leads, reviewing evidence and investigating multiple angles; reports differ on whether an FIR had been registered.
A purported Facebook post claiming responsibility was under examination, while possible links to an earlier dispute remained unconfirmed; Congress leader Raj Kumar Verka also criticized Punjab’s AAP government over law and order.
- Who
- Mad Sandhu, also identified as Madhusudan or Madhusudan Sandhu, was shot by two unidentified motorcycle-borne attackers.
- What
- Sandhu was fatally shot; accounts differ on whether he died en route to hospital or during treatment.
- When
- Saturday evening, around 6 p.m.; reports date the incident October 3 or October 4, 2026.
- Where
- Loharka Road, Amritsar, Punjab, India.
- Why
- Police had not established a motive. An alleged earlier dispute and a Facebook post claiming responsibility were being examined, but no connection or claim had been verified.
Possible links and political criticism
Police investigation and unconfirmed claims
Possible connection to earlier dispute
Possible links and political criticism
Some reports suggested the shooting might relate to an earlier controversy involving Nihang jathedar Manpreet Singh Khalsa and objections to Sandhu’s clothing, social media activity or older videos.
Police investigation and unconfirmed claims
Police had not established a motive or confirmed any connection between that controversy and the shooting.
Facebook claim of responsibility
Possible links and political criticism
A purported Facebook post under the name Goldy Dhillon claimed responsibility for the killing.
Police investigation and unconfirmed claims
Police were examining the post; the reports did not say authorities had verified the claim.
Punjab law and order
Possible links and political criticism
Congress leader Raj Kumar Verka said the AAP government had failed to protect people and called for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to resign.
Police investigation and unconfirmed claims
The reports did not include a response from the AAP government to Verka’s criticism.
- Victim
- Mad Sandhu, whose name was reported as Madhusudan or Madhusudan Sandhu
- Work
- Makeup artist, fashion creator and social media influencer; reports also describe work in styling, costume design, podcasting and entrepreneurship
- Attack
- Police said two unidentified men on a motorcycle opened fire; reports say around two to three rounds were fired
- Location and time
- Loharka Road, Amritsar, around 6 p.m. on Saturday; reports give October 3 or October 4, 2026
- Social media following
- Reports put his Instagram following at about 2.26 lakh
- Investigation
- Police said they had leads and were investigating multiple angles; accounts differ on whether an FIR had been registered
- Claim of responsibility
- A purported Facebook post under the name Goldy Dhillon claimed responsibility; police were examining it
- Reported earlier controversy
- Reports described objections to Sandhu’s clothing, online activity and older videos; investigators had not confirmed a link to the killing
Sources
Who was Mad Sandhu? Punjabi makeup artist and LGBTQ influencer shot dead in Amritsar
Social Media Influencer Mad Sandhu Shot Dead in Amritsar
Social Media Influencer Mad Sandhu Shot Dead By Unidentified Assailants In Amritsar | Video
Who was Mad Sandhu? Popular LGBTQ influencer, makeup artist shot dead in Amritsar; found lying on road, blood-soaked
Who Was Mad Sandhu, The Popular Makeup Artist And Influencer Shot Dead In Amritsar?
Punjabi influencer Mad Sandhu shot dead in Amritsar
Popular LGBTQ Influencer And Makeup Artist Mad Sandhu Shot Dead In Amritsar