New Delhi: The Mansa Police Station on Monday lodged an FIR based on a complaint by Sidhu Moose Wala's father Balkaur Singh after the famous Punjabi singer was shot dead by assailants in Punjab's Mansa district on Sunday, a day after the state government curtailed his security cover. Moose Wala was accompanied by Gurwinder Singh (neighbour) and Gurpreet Singh (cousin) in a Mahindra Thar jeep. Both were injured in the attack suspected to be a fallout of inter-gang rivalry.
In the recent Punjab election, the singer had unsuccessfully contested from the Mansa seat as a Congress candidate. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Monday reached the residence of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala in Moosa village.
Here are the important developments in the case so far:
- In the FIR, Sidhu Moose Wala's father stated that the singer was receiving threats from several gangs for extortion purposes. Lawrence Bishnoi gang was among those threatening him. After the threats, the deceased Congress leader kept a bulletproof Fortuner, but yesterday he was out in a Thar.
The FIR has been lodged under sections 302, 307, 341 of the Indian Penal Code and sections 25 & 27 of the Arms Act at City-1 Mansa Police Station against unknown persons, news agency ANI reported.
- Punjab's Director General of Police VK Bhawra on Sunday said that at least three weapons were used and 30 rounds fired in the attack. “This incident seems to be a case of an inter gang rivalry,” he added.
- The police chief mentioned that the name of Moose Wala's manager Shaganpreet had figured in the murder of youth Akali leader Vicky Middukhera last year. Shagunpreet had fled to Australia. The murder appeared to be in retaliation for Middukhera's murder, he added.
- DGP Bhawra stated that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was behind this incident, mentioning that Goldy Brar, one of the members of the gang from Canada, had taken the responsibility for the murder. The statement came after a purported Facebook post of Goldy Brar surfaced on social media.
- “In the incident with Sidhu Moose Wala, I Goldy Brar, Sachin Bishnoi, Lawrence Bishnoi Group take the responsibility for it. His name was taken in our brothers Vicky Middukhehra and Gurlal Brar's deaths, but the police did not take any action. He was also involved in our brother Ankit Bhadu's encounter. He was going against us. Delhi Police directly named him in front of the media but he remained protected because of his power, no action was initiated against him…” the post read.
- In March 2021, a Faridkot court issued an open-ended non-bailable arrest warrant against Goldy Brar, a month after he was named as the main conspirator in the killing of Youth Congress leader Gurlal Singh Pehalwan in Faridkot. According to media reports from last year, the police had said that Goldy Brar, with the help of jailed gangster Bishnoi, had orchestrated the murder to avenge the killing of his cousin Gurlal Brar.
ALSO READ | Who Is Goldy Brar? Canada-Based Gangster Named By Punjab Police In Sidhu Moose Wala Killing
- Announcing the formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe the murder, the DGP also informed that Moose Wala had not taken with him the two Punjab police commandos who were still provided for his security. As the Punjab government received flak over his security cover, DGP Bhawra clarified that four Punjab police commandos had been deployed with the singer. He mentioned that every year, security is “thinned out” because of the anniversary of Operation Bluestar and 'Ghalughara week' next month.
Two commandos of Moose Wala were withdrawn, but he did not take two of his remaining commandos along with him, the police chief noted. He stated that the singer chose not to take his private bulletproof vehicle as well.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Bathinda Range, Pardeep Yadav constituted the three-member SIT for the investigation. The team includes SP (investigation) Mansa Dharamveer Singh, DSP (Investigation) Bathinda Vishawajeet Singh, and in-charge CIA Mansa Prithipal Singh, news agency ANI reported.
As per the Punjab Police, Moose Wala left his house around 4:30 pm along with Gurwinder Singh (neighbour) and Gurpreet Singh (cousin). The singer was driving the vehicle.
DGP Bhawra said that when Moose Wala reached Jawaharke village, they were followed by a car and were intercepted from the front by two vehicles. "There was heavy firing from the front on Sidhu Moose Wala,” he said, as quoted by PTI.
The police team reached the spot immediately and the trio was taken to Civil Hospital Mansa where the singer was declared brought dead.
His cousin and friend are in stable condition and have been referred to Patiala for further treatment.
(With Agency Inputs)