Moose Wala's father seeks CBI, NIA probe into singer's killing
What's the story
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has ordered an investigation into the decision to tone down singer Sidhu Moose Wala's security cover. This came after the deceased singer's father, Balkaur Singh, wrote to Mann demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the National Investigation Agency into his son's murder on Sunday. Singh also sought a probe by a sitting high court judge.
Investigation
Mann open to probe by sitting HC judge
Mann on Monday asserted the Punjab government would leave no stone unturned to bring justice to Moose Wala. The CM also said his government would request the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to get the singer's murder case investigated by a sitting HC judge. He added that his government would ensure full cooperation to the inquiry commission.
Followed and intercepted
What happened on Sunday?
Moose Wala reportedly left his house at 4:30 pm on Sunday along with two others in his Mahindra Thar vehicle. The police said the singer was being followed by a white car and intercepted from the front by two cars at Jawaharke village. Moose Wala was fired at from the front and all three sustained bullet injuries. He was brought dead to the hospital.
Lawrence Bishnoi gang
Punjab DGP called it a gang war
Meanwhile, Punjab DGP VK Bhawra said Moose Wala's murder seemed to be due to an inter-gang rivalry between the Lawrence Bishnoi and Lucky Patial groups. He had cited it as a retaliation to the killing of Akali Dal leader Vicky Middukhera. Notably, Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar—Bishnoi's close aide—had claimed responsibility for the singer's murder. Bishnoi is currently languishing in a jail in Rajasthan's Ajmer.
Public apology
Father denies gang war angle, demands apology
Denying Moose Wala's alleged links to a gang war, Singh demanded a public apology from DGP Bhawra for claiming his son was murdered because of an inter-gang rivalry. He also demanded the accountability of officers—who reviewed his son's security and made its withdrawal order public—be fixed. Notably, Moose Wala was among the 424 people whose security was withdrawn by the Punjab Police on Saturday.