Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Police have arrested Jobanpreet, the main accused in the murder of Punjabi influencer and makeup artist Mad Sandhu, alias Madhusudan, from Mumbai, Maharashtra. The arrest was made by the Jalandhar Counter Intelligence team in a joint operation with the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
Police recovered three pistols, five magazines and 11 cartridges from the accused. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed the arrest and recovery in a post on social media platform X.
According to the DGP, preliminary investigations suggest that Jobanpreet was allegedly operating on the instructions of handlers based abroad. He is accused of supplying weapons to shooters, arranging funds for criminal activities and providing logistical support.
Mad Sandhu Was Shot Dead in Amritsar
Mad Sandhu, 26, was murdered in Amritsar on October 3. He had gone to a car-washing point on Loharka Road to collect his vehicle when two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly opened fire at point-blank range, shooting him in the chest.
Madhusudan sustained critical injuries and died while being taken to the hospital.
Around 10 arrests have reportedly been made in connection with the case so far. Police are investigating the wider conspiracy and the alleged involvement of individuals linked to organised crime networks operating from abroad.
Investigators have also found the alleged involvement of Jobanpreet in three firing incidents linked to extortion in Tarn Taran district. Police are examining his role in these cases as part of the ongoing investigation.
The police are working to identify other members of the network and establish how the accused maintained contact with foreign-based handlers. Investigators are also tracing the sources of weapons and funding allegedly used by the gang.
Soon after the murder, Patiala-based gangster Goldy Dhillon allegedly claimed responsibility for the killing in a social media post. He is believed to be hiding in the United Kingdom, according to the information provided in the case.
Investigators are also probing alleged links between the murder and Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti, as well as other members of an international criminal network. The exact nature of these connections is yet to be established through the investigation.
According to the police, the killing may have been part of a planned conspiracy linked to attempts by foreign-based gangsters to expand their influence and strengthen extortion networks in Punjab.
Mad Sandhu, a resident of Amritsar, was known for fashion and makeup content and for raising issues concerning the LGBTQ+ community. He had more than 220,000 followers on Instagram and had also appeared in some Punjabi films and music videos.
His content and distinctive style frequently attracted online trolling. Some time earlier, a Nihang Sikh had also publicly objected to his content.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said Punjab Police were continuing their efforts to dismantle organised crime and gangster networks. The investigation into Mad Sandhu's murder is ongoing, with police attempting to identify all those involved in the alleged conspiracy, trace the flow of weapons and money, and establish the links between local operatives and handlers based abroad.
Police said further action would follow as the investigation progresses, with the objective of bringing those responsible to justice and maintaining law and order in the state.
