DessiePelloe5 at 06:39, 30 April 2026

2026-04-30T06:39:45Z

New page

{{Short description|2022 murder of singer and political personality Sidhu Moose Wala}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2026}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = Assassination of Sidhu Moose Wala
| image = Sidhu Moose Wala's cremation by JK Photography 34.jpg
| caption = Moose Wala's cremation on 31 May 2022
| location = Jawaharke Village, [[Mansa, Punjab|Mansa]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India
| target = Sidhu Moose Wala
| murderer = 
| type = [[Murder]] by [[drive-by shooting]], [[assassination]]
| date = {{start date and age|df=yes|2022|5|29}}
| time = 5:30 p.m.
| timezone = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| weapon = 
| perpetrators = Unconfirmed
| accused = [[Lawrence Bishnoi]]<br />[[Goldy Brar]]
| fatalities = 1 (Sidhu Moose Wala)
| injuries = 2
}}

Punjabi musician [[Sidhu Moose Wala]] was shot dead by unidentified assailants in his car on 29 May 2022 in Jawaharke village of [[Mansa, Punjab|Mansa]]. Moose Wala was 28. According to police, [[Lawrence Bishnoi]]'s gang claimed responsibility for the murder in an unverified [[Facebook]] post, but Bishnoi denied making the claim.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sengar |first1=Mukesh Singh |last2=Achom |first2=Debanish |date=1 June 2022 |title=Gangster Linked To Sidhu Moose Wala's Murder Not Cooperating: Sources |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gangster-lawrence-bishnoi-linked-to-sidhu-moose-walas-murder-not-cooperating-say-sources-3029131 |work=NDTV |access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref> Nevertheless, Bishnoi was being held by he [[Punjab Police (India)|Punjab Police]] {{As of|2022|June|lc=y}} who considered him the "mastermind" of the murder.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sidhu Moose Wala Case: Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi is mastermind, say officials |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/sidhu-moose-wala-case-gangster-lawrence-bishnoi-is-mastermind-says-top-delhi-police/articleshow/92087268.cms |access-date=15 June 2022 |work=Economic Times |date=9 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=How did Lawrence Bishnoi mastermind Sidhu Moosewala's killing from jail? |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/how-did-lawrence-bishnoi-mastermind-sidhu-moosewalas-killing-from-jail-403270 |access-date=15 June 2022 |agency=IANS |work=Tribune India |date=12 June 2022}}</ref>

Moose Wala was one 424 people whose police security was reduced or entirely removed the day before his murder in preparation for the anniversary of [[Operation Blue Star]], leaving him with two commandos instead of four.<ref name="indianexpress death">{{Cite news |date=29 May 2022 |title=Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moose Wala shot dead in Mansa |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/amritsar/punjabi-singer-congress-leader-sidhu-moose-wala-shot-dead-7942590/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=29 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530135109/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/amritsar/punjabi-singer-congress-leader-sidhu-moose-wala-shot-dead-7942590/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mateen |first=Zoya |date=30 May 2022 |title=Sidhu Moose Wala: Murder of popular Indian singer sparks anger |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61629130 |access-date=30 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530110041/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61629130 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time of the incident, Moose Wala was travelling in his private car accompanied by two others instead of his bullet-proof vehicle with the commandos.<ref name="10 Facts">{{cite news |title=Sidhu Moosewala Shot Dead: The Singer Was Not in His Usual Bullet-Proof Car, Say Sources {{!}} 10 Facts |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/punjabi-singer-sidhu-moosewala-shot-at-rushed-to-hospital-in-critical-condition-5270287.html |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=News18 |date=29 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530135110/https://www.news18.com/news/india/punjabi-singer-sidhu-moosewala-shot-at-rushed-to-hospital-in-critical-condition-5270287.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TNS">{{cite news |title=Sidhu Moosewala had 2 security personnel, private bulletproof vehicle; he travelled without them: Punjab DGP Bhawra |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/sidhu-moosewala-murder-punjab-dgp-vk-bhawra-says-sit-to-be-formed-to-probe-case-399284 |work=The Tribune |date=29 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531002557/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/sidhu-moosewala-murder-punjab-dgp-vk-bhawra-says-sit-to-be-formed-to-probe-case-399284 |archive-date=31 May 2022 |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=31 May 2022 }}</ref> According to his friends, Moose Wala did not take his security along with him, as his Thar SUV could not accommodate five people.<ref name="NDTV details">{{cite news |last1=Ghazali |first1=Mohammed |last2=Kumar |first2=Akhil |title=How Sidhu Moose Wala Was Killed - The Chilling Details |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/how-sidhu-moose-wala-was-killed-the-chilling-details-3028055 |access-date=1 June 2022 |work=NDTV |date=1 June 2022}}</ref>
== Aftermath ==
According to police, the Bishnoi gang claimed they killed Moose Wala to avenge the murder of an Akali Youth leader, Vicky Middukhera, in 2021. Moose Wala's aide was purported by the Bishnoi gang of having a role in the killing of Middukhera, though there is no legal evidence to support this.<ref name="NDTV 30 May Shot">{{cite news |title=Singer Sidhu Moose Wala Shot 30 Times, Then Killers Did A Check: Sources |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/singer-sidhu-moose-wala-shot-30-times-then-killers-did-a-check-sources-3021402 |access-date=30 May 2022 |work=NDTV |date=30 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530135111/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/singer-sidhu-moose-wala-shot-30-times-then-killers-did-a-check-sources-3021402 |url-status=live }}</ref> Canadian [[gangster]] of Punjabi origin Satinder Singh {{Aka}} [[Goldy Brar]] claimed responsibility for the murder. Brar, a close associate of Bishnoi, claimed that his "[[Organized crime in India#Organized crime in Punjab|Punjab module]]" carried out the shooting. Both Brar and Bishnoi have criminal cases against them in India. The Punjab Police later confirmed Bishnoi's involvement.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 May 2022 |title=Canada-Based Gangster Responsible for Fatal Attack on Sidhu Moose Wala: Police |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/canada-based-gangster-goldy-brar-takes-responsibility-for-sidhu-moose-walas-murder |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=TheQuint |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530135112/https://www.thequint.com/news/india/canada-based-gangster-goldy-brar-takes-responsibility-for-sidhu-moose-walas-murder |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Who is Goldy Brar? Know about Canada-based gangster believed to be behind Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala's murder |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/who-is-goldy-brar-know-about-canada-based-gangster-believed-to-be-behind-punjabi-singer-sidhu-moosewalas-murder |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=Free Press Journal |date=29 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530184108/https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/who-is-goldy-brar-know-about-canada-based-gangster-believed-to-be-behind-punjabi-singer-sidhu-moosewalas-murder |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 May 2022 |title=Canada-based gangster takes responsibility for killing Moosewala |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/canada-based-gangster-takes-responsibility-for-killing-moosewala-1113548.html |access-date=29 May 2022 |agency=IANS |work=Deccan Herald |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530184110/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/canada-based-gangster-takes-responsibility-for-killing-moosewala-1113548.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Sidhu Moose Wala's cremation by JK Photography 22.jpg|thumb|Sidhu Moose Wala's parents and fans at his cremation]]
According to the police report, Moose Wala's father revealed that Moose Wala had been receiving death threats from gangsters for extortion purposes, a statement corroborated by singer [[Mika Singh]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sidhu Moose Wala Received Threats, Including From Bishnoi Gang, Father Mentions In FIR |url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/sidhu-moose-wala-murder-singer-received-threats-including-from-bishnoi-gang-mentions-father-in-fir-key-developments-1534556 |access-date=30 May 2022 |work=ABP News |date=30 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530184109/https://news.abplive.com/news/india/sidhu-moose-wala-murder-singer-received-threats-including-from-bishnoi-gang-mentions-father-in-fir-key-developments-1534556 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Two of the accused in the murder of Sidhu Moosewala were killed in a jail fight with gang rivals and a third accused in Moosewala’s murder was severely injured in the Goindwal Sahib Central Jail in Punjab's Tarn Taran district.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2 Accused In Sidhu Moose Wala Murder Case Killed In Punjab Jail Fight |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/2-accused-in-singer-sidhu-moose-wala-murder-case-killed-in-punjab-jail-fight-3816046/amp/1 |access-date=3 September 2024 |website=NDTV.com |language=en}}</ref>

Punjab Chief Minister [[Bhagwant Mann]] condemned the murder, calling Moose Wala "a cultural icon of Punjab". He expressed shock and grief about the singer's death and consoled the aggrieved family.<ref name="judicial commission" /><ref>{{cite news |title=CM Bhagwant Mann 'shocked' by Sidhu Moosewala's murder, says guilty will not be spared |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/cm-bhagwant-mann-shocked-by-moosewalas-murder-says-guilty-will-be-spared-399277 |access-date=1 June 2022 |work=Tribune |date=30 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Mann ordered an investigation into why the Punjab Police reduced Moose's security detail two days prior to his murder.<ref name="NDTV 30 May Shot" /> He also announced that a judicial commission headed by a sitting judge of the [[Punjab and Haryana High Court]] would be set up to investigate the killing.<ref name="judicial commission">{{cite news |title=CM announces to set up judicial commission under sitting HC judge to probe killing of Sidhu Moosewala |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/cm-announces-to-set-up-judicial-commission-under-sitting-hc-judge-to-probe-killing-of-sidhu-moosewala-399509 |access-date=30 May 2022 |work=Tribune |date=30 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530135551/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/cm-announces-to-set-up-judicial-commission-under-sitting-hc-judge-to-probe-killing-of-sidhu-moosewala-399509 |url-status=live }}</ref> Numerous celebrities offered their condolences on social media.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Sidhu Moosewala Death: Drake, Varun Dhawan, Vicky Kaushal And Others Express Grief |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/sidhu-moose-wala-death-many-celebrities-expressed-grief--news-199223 |access-date=1 June 2022 |magazine=Outlook |date=30 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sidhu Moose Wala death: Ajay Devgn, Kapil Sharma, Shehnaaz Gill, Esha Gupta mourn late singer's demise |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-sidhu-moose-wala-death-shehnaaz-gill-esha-gupta-gippy-grewal-mourn-late-singer-s-demise-2956535 |access-date=1 June 2022 |work=DNA |date=30 May 2022}}</ref>

Police found bullets from an [[AN-94]] Russian assault rifle and a pistol at the spot of the killing. Police had detained six suspects of the incident from the state of [[Uttarakhand]].<ref name="NDTV 30 May Shot" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Rohit |date=30 May 2022 |title=AN-94 Russian rifle used to kill Sidhu Moose Wala, know how it was brought in Punjab; License detail & more |url=https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/an94-russian-rifle-used-to-kill-sidhu-moose-wala-know-how-it-brought-in-punjab-license-detail-more |access-date=30 May 2022 |work=True Scoop News}}</ref> On 30 May, one of the murder suspects was detained by the Punjab Police while he was hiding among the pilgrims of [[Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sengar |first1=Mukesh Singh |last2=Achom |first2=Debanish |date=30 May 2022 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/singer-sidhu-moose-wala-murder-case-suspect-arrested-in-uttarakhand-was-hiding-among-pilgrims-3022201 |title=Singer Sidhu Moose Wala Murder: Suspect, Hiding Among Pilgrims, Detained |work=NDTV |access-date=30 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530135542/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/singer-sidhu-moose-wala-murder-case-suspect-arrested-in-uttarakhand-was-hiding-among-pilgrims-3022201 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 30 May, the [[Delhi]] unit of the INC staged a protest near AAP leader [[Arvind Kejriwal]]'s residence holding the [[Aam Aadmi Party, Punjab|AAP]]-ruled [[Government of Punjab, India|Government of Punjab]] responsible for the incident, blaming their decision to curtail Moose Wala's security cover.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Joshi |first1=Poorva |title=Delhi Congress stages protest near CM's residence, holds AAP responsible for Sidhu Moose Wala's killing |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/sidhu-moose-wala-killing-delhi-congress-protest-aam-aadmi-party-arvind-kejriwal-bhagwant-mann-2022-05-30-780463 |access-date=30 May 2022 |work=India TV News |date=30 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530135544/https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/sidhu-moose-wala-killing-delhi-congress-protest-aam-aadmi-party-arvind-kejriwal-bhagwant-mann-2022-05-30-780463 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=PTI |title=Delhi Cong stages protest holds AAP responsible for Moosewala's killing |url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2022/05/30/des4-dl-singer-cong-protest.html |access-date=30 May 2022 |magazine=The Week |date=30 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530135548/https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2022/05/30/des4-dl-singer-cong-protest.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Sidhu Moose Wala's cremation by JK Photography 31.jpg|thumb|Fans in tears at Moose Wala's funeral]]
His autopsy was carried out by five doctors, and the event was videographed. According to post mortem reports, Moose Wala received 19 bullet injuries, and he died within 15 minutes of being shot due to the wounds.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ghazali |first=Mohammed |title=Sidhu Moose Wala Had 19 Bullet Marks, Death Within 15 Mins: Autopsy Report |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sidhu-moose-wala-had-19-bullet-marks-death-within-15-mins-autopsy-report-3033497 |access-date=2 June 2022 |work=NDTV |date=2 June 2022}}</ref>

Moose Wala was cremated in his ancestral village on 31 May. His last rites were performed on his farmland.<ref name="NDTV_31May2022">{{cite news |last1=Chakravarty |first1=Shonakshi |last2=Achom |first2=Debanish |title=Singer Sidhu Moose Wala's Father's Moving Gesture After Cremation |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/singer-sidhu-moose-walas-fathers-tragic-gesture-after-cremation-3025705 |access-date=31 May 2022 |work=NDTV |date=31 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=On The Last Ride, thousands bid adieu to Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/on-the-last-ride-thousands-bid-adieu-to-punjabi-singer-turned-politician-sidhu-moosewala-399871 |access-date=12 June 2022 |work=Tribune |date=31 May 2022}}</ref>

On 3 June, Bishnoi allegedly admitted to being involved in the murder and that he had a rivalry with Moose Wala.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ghosh |first=Poulomi |date=3 June 2022 |title=Lawrence Bishnoi admits his gang had rivalry with Sidhu Moose Wala: Report |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lawrence-bishnoi-admits-his-gang-members-killed-sidhu-moose-wala-report-101654238887423.html |access-date=3 June 2022 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 June 2022 |title=Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi accepts his role in Moosewala killing |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/yes-i-got-sidhu-moosewala-killed-gangster-lawrence-bishnoi-to-delhi-police-400644 |access-date=3 June 2022 |website=Tribune}}</ref> On 8 June, a ''[[bhog]]'' ceremony was arranged in Mansa.<ref>{{cite news |agency=ANI |title=Hundreds Gather During Sidhu Moose Wala's 'Bhog' Ceremony In Punjab |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hundreds-gather-during-singer-sidhu-moose-walas-bhog-ceremony-in-punjabs-mansa-3048163 |access-date=8 August 2022 |work=NDTV |date=8 June 2022}}</ref> On 3 July, Ankit Sirsa was arrested by Delhi police for being one of the shooters involved in the killing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sidhu Moosewala killing: Deadliest shooter Ankit Sirsa who fired with both hands among 2 held by Delhi police |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/sidhu-moosewala-killing-delhi-police-arrest-third-shooter-ankit-409398 |access-date=20 July 2022 |work=Tribune |date=5 July 2022}}</ref> On 20 July, gangsters Manpreet Mannu and Jagrup Rupa, suspected of involvement in Moose Wala's killing, were gunned down by the Punjab Police.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rana|first=Yudhveer|date=20 July 2022|title=Sidhu Moose Wala killer was shot dead by the Punjab Police|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/punjab-encounter-breaks-out-between-police-and-gangsters-in-amritsar-village/articleshow/93001570.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=20 July 2022}}</ref> On 26 July, [[India TV]] reported that Punjab Police arrested the last absconding shooter, Deepak Mundi.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Joshi |first1=Poorva |title=Sidhu Moose Wala killing: Deepak Mundi, sixth and last absconding shooter arrested in Amritsar |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/sidhu-moose-wala-killing-last-shooter-arrested-amritsar-attari-border-deepak-mundi-punjab-police-latest-updates-2022-07-26-794989 |access-date=29 July 2022 |work=[[India TV]] |date=26 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref> However, ''[[The Indian Express]]'' reported that he was arrested on 11 September near the Bengal-Nepal border.<ref>{{citation |date=10 September 2022 |title=Sidhu Moosewala murder case: 6th shooter Deepak Mundi arrested from near Bengal-Nepal border |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/moosewala-murder-case-sixth-shooter-deepak-mundi-arrested-8142672/ |access-date=22 September 2022 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Politics ==
Before the [[Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency#2022 candidates|Sangrur Lok Sabha by-election in 2022]], the [[Indian National Congress|INC]] had used pictures of Moose Wala in its election song. The family of Moose Wala made a public appeal to political parties and individuals, asking them to not use his name for political or personal motives. The move was also criticised by the [[Aam Aadmi Party]].<ref name="motives">{{cite news |title=Don't use Sidhu Moosewala's name for political or personal motives, appeals his family |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/dont-use-sidhu-moosewalas-name-for-political-or-personal-motives-appeals-his-family-403766 |access-date=14 June 2022 |work=Tribune |date=14 June 2022}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Sidhu Moose Wala}}

[[Category:May 2022 in India]]
[[Category:Assassinated Indian people]]
[[Category:2022 in music]]
[[Category:2022 murders in India]]
[[Category:Assassinations in India]]
[[Category:Sidhu Moose Wala]]

Assassination of Sidhu Moose Wala - Revision history

DessiePelloe5 at 06:39, 30 April 2026