Fatal Shooting on Loharka Road
Prominent Punjabi LGBTQ influencer and makeup artist Madhusudan, widely known as Mad Sandhu, was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants in Amritsar, Punjab, on Saturday evening, October 3, 2026, according to The Tribune. The attack occurred around 6 pm on Loharka road, where Sandhu had reportedly arrived to pick up his car from a shop after giving it for washing. Eyewitness accounts and police reports indicate that two to three rounds were fired at close range before the assailants fled the spot. Sandhu was found lying on the road in a pool of blood after sustaining multiple bullet injuries, as reported by Hindustan Times, and succumbed to his injuries while being rushed to a private hospital.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Sirivennela stated that police teams reached the spot immediately, launched an investigation, and were examining CCTV footage from the area to establish the sequence of events and identify the suspects. Authorities confirmed they have gathered solid initial leads and are actively pursuing them, while also investigating a social media post from a handle named ‘Goldy Dhillon’ that claimed responsibility for the attack and alleged he had “spoilt” Punjab, as noted by NDTV. Investigators emphasized that the motive and identities of the attackers have not yet been formally established, and they are working on multiple angles.
Profile and Public Stance Against Trolls
Sandhu, who was around 30 years old and the son of a retired Punjab Police sub-inspector according to Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill, commanded a massive online presence with more than 200,000 followers on Instagram. He regularly shared luxury fashion and beauty tips, lifestyle vlogs, and candid commentary on social norms, pop culture, and LGBTQ+ acceptance. Beyond his digital footprint, he worked as a stylist and assistant costume designer for films across Punjab and Mumbai, made acting appearances in productions such as the ‘Oye Bhole Oye’ series, and operated a local salon in Amritsar.
As an open LGBTQ figure navigating a conservative society, Sandhu frequently faced severe online harassment and homophobic trolling regarding his appearance, clothing, and content style. In previous interviews, including a 2021 appearance on ‘Josh Talks’, he detailed growing up in a hyper-masculine Jat Sikh environment and managing societal pressures. Addressing his critics, he frequently maintained that God made him who he was, stating, “I ignored the negative comments and kept the positive ones in my mind… It doesn’t matter now. I know how to live my life.” His public persona bridged his professional career in makeup artistry with vocal advocacy for gender expression and self-acceptance.
Broader Context of Online Hostility and Past Incidents
The violent attack has drawn renewed attention to the safety of digital creators and public figures in the region, alongside immediate political outcries. Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Raj Kumar Verka and Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, criticized the state government over law and order issues, noting that Sandhu had been receiving threats for a long time and had openly mentioned them on social media. In July, Sandhu had reportedly been confronted by a self-appointed cultural vigilante who objected to his online content and lifestyle, demanding he record a retraction video. While police have not formally linked past threats or calls to Saturday’s homicide, the incident mirrors other high-profile violent crimes against regional influencers.
Law enforcement authorities pointed to the June 2025 murder of influencer Kanchan Kumari, known as ‘Kamal Kaur Bhabhi’, who was lured from her Ludhiana residence under the guise of a brand promotion and killed by a radical Nihang Sikh vigilante, Amritpal Singh Mehron, who objected to her content as “immoral” and “vulgar.” Mehron subsequently fled to the UAE before being deported and arrested at the Delhi airport in April 2026. Investigators are examining all angles in Sandhu’s killing, including online threats, digital vitriol, and potential personal disputes, as security agencies work to apprehend the perpetrators.