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Moosewala’s parents protest outside Punjab assembly, seek CBI probe into singer’s killing
Congress leaders join dharna by Balkaur Singh and Charan Kaur, who accused the government of not doing enough to bring gangster Goldy Brar, who masterminded Moosewala’s killing, to book
The parents of singer Sidhu Moosewala, who was shot dead last year, sat on a protest outside the Punjab assembly complex in Chandigarh on Tuesday, seeking justice for their son.
Speaking to reporters, an emotional Balkaur Singh said the masterminds behind his son’s murder were still at large. He said nothing concrete had been done by the investigation agencies and demanded a CBI probe into the incident.
Carrying placards, Balkaur Singh and his wife Charan Kaur sat in the parking lot outside the Vidhan Sabha.
They were accompanied by senior Punjab Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, state unit chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, former deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and MLA Sukhpal Khaira.
Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala, was shot dead by gangsters in Punjab’s Mansa district on May 29, 2022. He had unsuccessfully contested the last assembly elections from Mansa on the Congress ticket.
“I have come here today as we have no other option. For 10 months, nothing concrete has been done. Enough time has been given to the police and the administration to act. 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,” the singer’s father said. “Till the time, the state assembly is in session, we will sit outside in protest,” he said.
Punjab agriculture minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal met Moosewala’s parents outside the assembly complex and said the Aam Aadmi Party government was with them. “It is your own government, you do not need to sit on dharna. We will fight your battle,” he told Moosewala’s father, adding that all culprits, including the masterminds of the crime, will be caught.
Talking to reporters, Dhaliwal assured that the case is being investigated fairly. He said 29 people have so far been arrested in the case, adding that two of the accused were killed in an encounter, while five are to be brought from outside the country for which the state government is in touch with the Centre and other agencies concerned.
On the probe, Moosewala’s father 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. Only the shooters (involved in the case) have been arrested, but what about the masterminds?” When asked if he would demand a CBI probe, Balkaur Singh replied, “Definitely, it should be done. When nothing has been done so far, only shooters involved have been nabbed... So far, only supplementary challans have been presented in this case. I have come here because no one is listening to us.”
Drawing parallels, an agitated Balkaur 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 killing of the singer. “I have said I would make arrangements for reward money. What pressure is Goldy Brar facing...he is living his life comfortably abroad,” he said.
Pointing towards his wife, Balkaur Singh said, “Both of us are heart patients. If we do not get justice while we are still alive, what is its worth?” Singh also alleged that he was receiving death threats for pursuing the case. He added that his family had been cooperating with the administration in probing the case, but they were yet to get any justice.
