Popular Punjab Makeup Artist and Influencer Shot Dead in Amritsar

Madhusudan, who was widely known as Mad Sandhu, was shot dead on Saturday evening by unknown men on a motorcycle on Loharka Road in Amritsar. Sandhu was an LGBTQA+ influencer, makeup artist, and the founder of Mane Lane Unisex Salon who had gathered over two lakh thirty-two thousand followers on Instagram. He had also acted in the film Oye Bhola Oye 2, music tracks like Ragda, and the web series Youth Kartoot.

Investigation and Claims

Police are checking multiple angles in the murder case, though online posts claiming responsibility have vanished. Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill stated that investigators cannot verify these social media posts because they originate from abroad, but promised to solve the case soon. Investigators are also looking into Sikh radical groups after an old audio and video clip surfaced showing an argument between Sandhu and Nihang jathedar Manpreet Singh Khalsa.

Community Reactions

Leaders from various regional groups have strongly condemned the killing and highlighted ongoing safety concerns for vulnerable groups. Manu from the Queering in Chandigarh collective called it the first major crime against a local queer person, noting that media often mocks the community and that many members have received threats from anonymous accounts. Dhananjay Chauhan, the first transgender student at Panjab University, warned that the crime could push people back into hiding, especially since legal protections remain limited. Harpuneet Kaur from the Punjab Feminist Union of Students pointed out that the Amritsar Pride march in 2025 had to be canceled due to warnings from radical groups.

Context

This incident highlights the growing tensions around gender expression and public visibility for marginalized groups in parts of northern India. Activists point out that while cultural history in the region includes long-standing traditions of diverse gender and romantic expressions, modern social media spaces have also become platforms for severe backlash and anonymous threats.