New Delhi: Youth Akali leader Vikramjit alias Vicky Middukhera's death case has once again become a centre of attention following the murder of popular Punjabi singer and Congress leader Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, popularly known as Sidhu Moose Wala. 'The Last Ride' singer was shot dead by assailants in Punjab's Mansa district on Sunday, a day after the state government curtailed his security cover. As per the preliminary investigation, the murder is suspected to be carried out to avenge Vikramjit's killing in August last year.


Who Is Vicky Middukhera?


Vicky Middukhera alias Vikramjit Singh Middukhera, was a Youth Akali Dal leader who was shot dead in Sector 71, Mohali, in August 2021. 


He was the president of Shiromani Akali Dal's student wing, Student Organisation of India (SOI), Chandigarh Zone.


According to a report by The Quint, Vikramjit Middukhera's family belongs to Malout in Sri Muktsar Sahib district and is believed to have a good equation with the Badals who are also from the same district.


The Akali Youth leader studied at Shiwalik Public School in Mohali and then went on to pursue his graduation from DAV College, Chandigarh. He then enrolled in the department of defence studies at Panjab University, the report stated.


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What Happened In August 2021?


In August last year, Vicky Middukhera was shot dead in broad daylight in Punjab’s Mohali. Two armed miscreants opened fire at Middukhera in a market area and fled the spot, Mohali Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Akashdeep Singh Aulakh had told news agency PTI.


The police said that he had gone to meet a real estate dealer in the area. In a CCTV video, the miscreants, all wearing caps and face masks, were seen chasing Middukhera and firing shots as he attempted to run for cover.


As per the police, eight to nine rounds were fired after which the miscreants escaped in a car. Middukhera, Student Organisation of India, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead.


Earlier this month, a local court sent four accused in the murder case to judicial custody.


According to a report by the Tribune, the police recovered the weapons used in the killing as well as the car that the assailants were seen in. The identity of the fourth suspect accompanying the shooters remains unclear. Notably, even after over eight months, the officials have not been able to ascertain the motive of the murder. 


How Is Vicky Middukhera's Killing Connected To Sidhu Moose Wala's Murder?


In a purported Facebook post, Goldy Brar, one of the members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang from Canada, took responsibility for the murder citing the Vicky Middukhera case.


“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.


As per reports, Vicky was a close friend of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi who is serving time in jail in Bharatpur, Rajasthan since 2017 for various crimes.


Punjab's Director General of Police VK Bhawra on Sunday mentioned that the name of Moose Wala's manager Shaganpreet had figured in the murder of youth Akali leader Vicky Middukhera last year.


As the investigation proceeded, Shagunpreet fled to Australia and a lookout circular was issued against him. As per the Punjab police, Shagunpreet is believed to have provided accommodation to the killers and helped them in conducting a recce before the murder.


With Shaganpreet out of reach and demands to question Sidhu Moose Wala in the case remaining unaddressed, the Bishnoi gang is suspected to have taken matters into its own hands.


Moose Wala was accompanied by Gurwinder Singh (neighbour) and Gurpreet Singh (cousin) in a Mahindra Thar jeep when he was shot dead on Sunday.


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 added, 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.


(With Agency Inputs)