Gangster tells BBC why India's biggest hip-hop star was murdered

Sidhu Moose Wala was one of the biggest Punjabi hip-hop stars, known for his powerful music and strong personality. In 2022, he was tragically shot dead while driving near his village in Punjab, India. The killing shocked the nation and his fans worldwide. A gangster named Goldy Brar quickly claimed responsibility for ordering the hit, but he remains at large, believed to be hiding in Canada. Despite many arrests, no one has yet been tried for the murder. Sidhu Moose Wala, born Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, moved to Canada in 2016 to study engineering but soon became a famous rapper. His music spoke about identity, politics, and the harsh realities of life in Punjab, including gang violence and corruption. His songs gained billions of views on YouTube, and he had fans across India, Canada, and the UK.

On the evening of his death, Sidhu was driving his black Mahindra Thar SUV when two cars began following him closely. CCTV footage showed the cars weaving through narrow roads, eventually trapping Sidhu's vehicle against a wall. Gunmen then opened fire, hitting him 24 times. Bystanders tried to help, but Sidhu was declared dead at the hospital. Six gunmen were identified, armed with AK-47s and pistols. The police arrested about 30 people afterward, and two suspected gunmen were killed in police encounters. However, the main person behind the attack, Goldy Brar, was not in India at the time and remains a fugitive.

Sidhu Moose Wala's troubles began because of his connections with rival gangs. Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi, a feared gangster running a criminal network from jail, saw Sidhu as an enemy. The conflict started over a local kabaddi tournament Sidhu promoted, which was organized by Bishnoi's rivals. This angered Bishnoi's gang, leading to threats against Sidhu. Although the dispute was briefly settled, it worsened after the murder of Vicky Middukhera, an associate of Bishnoi, in 2021. Sidhu was suspected of supporting the rival gang involved in that killing, though no proof was found. Goldy Brar claimed Sidhu used political power and money to help their enemies, which led to the decision to kill him. Brar said he had no regrets and believed justice was not possible through the courts, so they took matters into their own hands. The murder of Sidhu Moose Wala has increased fear of gangsters in Punjab and made extortion more common, affecting not only the music industry but also local businesses.