Friday | May 30 2025 | 05:50:30 AM
New Delhi, June 1
The Punjab Police in their first arrest in the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala arrested cousin of a jailed gangster who had arrange the cars for the assailants.
The accused was identified as Manpreet Singh Bhau (27), a resident of Dhapyi village in Faridkot district.
Manpreet was arrested in a joint operation of Punjab Police and Special Task Force of Uttrakhand Police.
Manpreet is cousin of another gangster Manpreet Singh Manna, who is lodged in Ferozepur jail. Manna is in jail for killing another gangster Kulbir Naruana.
Manpreet was detained from Dehradun while returning from Hemkund Sahib, a Sikh shrine located in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. When the accused was arrested he was on his way to Paonta Sahib after visiting Hemkhund Sahib in Chamoli. Manpreet had disguised himself as a pilgrim and went to Hemkhund Sahib and was planning to flee after visiting Paonta Sahib.
The police picked up five others from Dehradun who were brought to Punjab for interrogation in connection with Moosewala’s murder case.
According to police, Manpreet had given a white Toyota Corola car, owned by Manna, to the assailants.
The police tracked the supplier through the CCTV footage showing Moosewala’s vehicle being followed by the white car in Jawaharke village. The occupants of this car had first opened fire at Moosewala’s vehicle. Later another group of assailants in a Mahindra Bolero car, joined the first group and started indiscriminate firing.
Manpreet has nine cases under arms Act and for kidnapping and murder registered against him in Faridkot, Ropar and Muktsar.
The police added that although Manpreet was not among the assailants who opened fire but he provided logistics. The cars were also carrying fabricated number plates.
Moosewala was shot dead on May 29 by unidentified assailants in Mansa district a day after his security cover was withdrawn by the state government.
Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar, who is the member of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed the responsibility of the murder.
According to police, Moosewala’s murder appeared to be in retaliation of youth Akali leader Vicky Middukhera’s killing that took place last year.
The name of Moosewala’s manager Shaganpreet had figured in the murder of Middukhera’s murder. However, Shaganpreet had fled to Australia.
The arrest of Manpreet will help police get leads on the assailants who shot at Moosewala.
