- Tuesday, March 04, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
The parents of singer Sidhu Moosewala, who was shot dead last year, sat on a protest outside the assembly complex in Chandigarh, the capital of the northern Indian state of Punjab, on Tuesday (7) seeking justice for their son.
Speaking to reporters, an emotional Balkaur Singh, the father of Moosewala, said the masterminds behind his son’s murder were still at large. He alleged that nothing concrete has been done by the investigation agencies and demanded a probe by the elite Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the incident.
He sat outside the assembly with his wife Charan Kaur and both held placards to draw attention of the authorities.
The couple were also accompanied by some senior leaders of the Indian National Congress’s Punjab wing, including the leader of the opposition in the state, Partap Singh Bajwa.
Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala, was gunned down in Jawaharke village in Mansa district of Punjab by some assailants on May 29.
“I have come here today as we have no other option. For the last 10 months, nothing concrete has been done. Enough time has been given to police and the administration to act,” Balkaur said.
“But the reality is the (murder) case is being suppressed. Crucial witnesses are being eliminated and nothing is going in our favour. So, we are forced to sit outside the Vidhan Sabha,” he added.
“Till the time, the state assembly is in session, we will sit outside in protest,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, a minister in Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, met Moosewala’s parents outside the assembly complex and said the AAP government was with them.
“It is your own government, you do not need to sit on any dharna. We will fight your battle,” he told Moosewala’s father, adding that all the culprits, including the masterminds of the crime, will be nabbed.
Talking to reporters, Dhaliwal assured that the case is being investigated fairly and added 29 people have so far been arrested in the case. He said two of the accused were killed in an encounter while five were to be brought from outside the country for which the state government was already in touch with the Narendra Modi government in New Delhi and other agencies concerned.
Asked if the ongoing probe was being compromised, Moosewala’s father earlier said, “Not only is it being influenced, efforts are on to close the case. What is the current status of the investigation? “A celebrity was murdered triggering worldwide anger, but the Indian government is not listening,” he said.
“Only the shooters (involved in the case) have been arrested, but what about the masterminds?” he asked.
Drawing parallels, an agitated Singh said when a political figure is killed, prompt action is taken and the accused are brought to the book. “I have submitted a list of people involved in my son’s killing to the authorities. But nothing has happened. I prefer to die on the road seeking justice for my son,” he said.
“What action has been taken against (Canada-based gangster who had claimed responsibility for Moosewala’s killing) Goldy Brar? A red corner notice was issued against him, but what after that?” he asked.
Moosewala’s father also offered reward money for those giving information about the masterminds behind the singer’s murder.
(With PTI inputs)
