No leads in Moosewala killing, Punjab goes back on ‘gang links’

The state also sought to backtrack on its claims soon after the killing that it could be the result of a gang dispute. Director General of Police V K Bhawra said he had never called Moosewala a gangster or alleged that he had affiliation with gangsters. He said he had the highest regard for Moosewala, as a celebrated artiste and cultural icon of Punjab. Mann also praised Moosewala.

Buy Now | Our best subscription plan now has a special price

Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora said preliminary investigations indicated the assailants carried out a recce before Sunday evening’s attack, adding that they had zeroed in on a suspicious Corolla car seen in Moosewala’s village. Punjab Anti-Gangster Task Force Additional Director of Police Promod Ban did not respond to calls and text messages.

Faridkot Range Inspector General P K Yadav, who is leading the investigations, told The Indian Express that three vehicles used in the crime had been recovered, including an Alto car that was learnt to have been snatched from a family by the accused, to flee after the killing.

The Punjab Police has reportedly approached the Delhi Police to question men imprisoned in Delhi who are affiliated to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which is suspected to have carried out the murder.

Moosewala’s father Balkaur Singh earlier wrote to Mann demanding a probe by a judge, and said that the investigation should be assisted by the CBI and NIA. Blaming the AAP government, he wrote: “Due to the failures of your government, my son left us for forever.” He also demanded that officers who had reviewed his son’s security and made it public that the security detail had been cut should be held accountable.

Balkaur also sought a public apology from the DGP for “linking the death to gang wars”, adding that Moosewala had “brought laurels for Punjab worldwide”.

At a hurriedly called press conference late Sunday evening, the DGP had said the murder appeared to be the result of “inter-gang rivalry”, and that Moosewala’s manager Shagunpreet’s name had surfaced in the murder of alleged gangster Vicky Middukhera. Bhawra said Shagunpreet was missing since then and is believed to have absconded to Australia.

The DGP also said that they suspected the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was behind the killing of Moosewala.

In his statement Monday, the DGP said the media had distorted what he said, and that they were looking at all aspects of the murder.