Sandhu had built a large social-media following through content on makeup, fashion, lifestyle and LGBTQ issues, and had spoken openly about facing homophobic abuse online.
BY PC Bureau
October 3, 2026: Punjabi influencer and makeup artist Mad Sandhu, one of the region’s better-known LGBTQ public figures, was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants in Amritsar on Saturday. Sandhu, whose full name was Madhusudan, was found lying in a pool of blood on the roadside with a gunshot wound. A video showing the aftermath of the shooting has since circulated widely on social media.
Sandhu died while being taken to hospital. Police reached the spot and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the killing. “Two unidentified men fired at him around 6 pm,” said Sirivennela, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police.
The motive for the killing was not immediately known. Police had not, at the time of the initial investigation, established whether Sandhu’s public profile, personal disputes or any other factor was connected to the attack.
Sandhu was openly gay and had spoken publicly about gender, sexuality, makeup and the film industry. He was a frequent podcast guest and had built a substantial following through Instagram reels and viral videos dealing with luxury fashion, lifestyle, social norms, LGBTQ acceptance and popular culture. He regularly faced homophobic abuse online but generally responded without hiding his identity, often saying, “God has made me the way I am.”
He began his career in fashion as a stylist and assistant costume designer, working on productions in Punjab and Mumbai. He later expanded into social media and also appeared in Punjabi films, including the Oye Bhole Oye series.
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Sandhu’s killing comes about a year after the murder of another social-media influencer in Punjab, a case that drew attention to allegations of vigilante-style moral policing.
Kanchan Kumari, better known online as Kamal Kaur Bhabhi, was murdered in June 2025 after she was allegedly lured from her Ludhiana home on the pretext of a paid brand promotion. Police accused Amritpal Singh Mehron, described by investigators as a radical Nihang Sikh vigilante, and his associates of carrying out the killing after objecting to her Instagram content, which they called “immoral” and “vulgar.” Investigators also alleged that they objected to her use of the Sikh surname “Kaur” in her social-media handles.
READ:
Influencer Mad Sandhu was shot dead in Amritsar. Two motorcycle-borne attackers opened fire at him on Loharka Road at around 6 PM, firing four bullets. He was rushed to a private hospital in critical condition, but he died on the way. A video of the incident has also surfaced. pic.twitter.com/YFFWSh69i4
— Parmeet Bidowali (@ParmeetBidowali) October 3, 2026
Mehron later claimed responsibility for the killing in a video before fleeing to the UAE. He was subsequently deported and arrested at Delhi airport on April 10, 2026. A Bathinda court has since framed murder charges against him.
There is no indication so far that Sandhu’s killing is connected to the Kamal Kaur case. The similarity has nevertheless drawn attention because both victims were prominent social-media personalities whose public presence included discussions or content around gender, sexuality and social norms.
The Amritsar shooting was followed by another fatal shooting in Punjab. In Mullanpur, Ludhiana, unidentified assailants opened fire on a car carrying two young men on Friday night.
The white Hyundai i20 was travelling from Khanjarwal village towards Majri when a Hyundai Verna reportedly followed it and its occupants opened fire. Ladi Khan of Bhundri village, who was driving the car, was struck by several bullets and died. The other occupant, Rohit alias Billa of Majri, managed to flee unharmed.
Police have not yet established a motive in that case either. Investigators are examining possible personal disputes, previous enmity and gang rivalry as part of the inquiry.
