Madhu Sudan, a well-known Punjabi social media influencer and makeup artist, widely recognized as Mad Sandhu, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in Amritsar on Saturday evening. Police officials indicated that they have some leads in the case and are optimistic about apprehending the suspects shortly.
The shooting occurred around 6 PM on Loharka Road, where Sandhu, the son of a retired inspector from the Punjab Police, was waiting outside a car wash for his vehicle. According to Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Sirivennela, two gunmen arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire at Sandhu before fleeing the scene. Reports suggest that the attackers fired two to three shots, with witnesses claiming that Sandhu was hit at close range. A video circulating on social media depicted Sandhu lying in a pool of blood. He was swiftly taken to a private hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries, as confirmed by the police.
Following a statement from Sandhu’s family, law enforcement officials filed a First Information Report (FIR) and commenced a preliminary investigation. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, though a senior police officer stated that they are exploring various possibilities.
Prabhjot Singh Virk, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for investigations in Amritsar, remarked, “The investigation is in its early stages. We have leads and are confident we will resolve this case promptly. The family’s statement has been recorded.”
Madhu Sudan was known for discussing makeup techniques and gender-related issues on podcasts, amassing a substantial online following of approximately 240,000 on Instagram. He was also the founder of Mane Lane Unisex Salon in Amritsar and ran beauty academies that offered a range of courses from self-makeup to professional bridal artistry.
Despite frequently facing homophobic harassment due to his sexual orientation, Sandhu responded to detractors by asserting, “God has made me the way I am.” He often encouraged his audience by sharing his success story, emphasizing that if he could thrive as a member of a “Jat Sikh family” in Amritsar, others could also achieve their dreams.
His follower base was notably divided; while many celebrated his creativity and self-expression, his posts often attracted vitriol, including aggressive online trolling and harsh criticism questioning his credibility as an educator. Recently, a video surfaced featuring a confrontation between Sandhu and a Nihang Singh, who criticized Sandhu’s social media activities and cross-dressing. Although Sandhu publicly stated that he had altered his content to avoid past controversies, he accused others of deliberately resurfacing old clips to create unnecessary drama.
In response to Sandhu’s murder, Congress leader Raj Kumar Verka criticized the AAP government for failing to maintain law and order in Punjab. He expressed concern over the prevailing atmosphere of fear and pointed out the stark contrast between the government’s claims of being a “magnificent and honest government” and the reality on the ground, noting that neither Arvind Kejriwal nor Bhagwant Mann had commented on the incident.
Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla revealed that Sandhu had been receiving threats for an extended period and had publicly discussed these concerns on social media. Aujla lamented that if authorities had taken these threats seriously and implemented appropriate security measures, Sandhu’s life might have been saved. He called for the swift arrest of the perpetrators and a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder.
