Song riles Pb sarpanches, one plots to ambush Gulab Sidhu | Chandigarh News
Bathinda: The critics didn’t just pan the music; they allegedly reached for their guns. Lyrics lampooning village lords triggered a sarpanch-led criminal syndicate’s botched Barnala plan for an armed attack and extortion attempt against prominent Punjabi singer Gulab Sidhu.A police crackdown has led to the arrest of three men, including the local sarpanch, who authorities say orchestrated the plot following a social media feud over a controversial song, ‘Sarpanchiyaan’. Barnala senior superintendent of police (SSP) Sarfaraz Alam confirmed that Baljinder Singh, also known as ‘Kinda’ — the elected sarpanch of Kotduna village — was taken into custody alongside associates Gurwinder Singh and Balwinder Singh.
During the operation, police recovered an illegal weapon and live ammunition. Investigators allege the trio intended to use the firearm to target Gulab Sidhu during a scheduled appearance at a wedding function.Motive: Art and ExtortionThe investigation suggests the plot was fuelled by a mix of personal grievance and financial gain. Police claim that Baljinder Singh allegedly took offense to a recent song released by Sidhu, claiming the lyrics defamed the “sarpanch community”. Before the planned attack, Baljinder Singh reportedly uploaded a video to social media threatening Gulab Sidhu with “dire consequences” if the song was not removed. Investigators believe the group planned to “teach the singer a lesson” via a physical attack before shifting to a long-term extortion demand.Criminal history and Jail LinksThe suspects are not new to law enforcement. SSP Alam stated that all three men were previously involved in three extortion cases across the Barnala and Sangrur districts in 2022. They were released from prison in 2024, shortly before Baljinder Singh was elected to his village post.The investigation has also uncovered a “jail-to-street” supply chain. While in custody, Baljinder Singh allegedly contacted Malkit Singh ‘Keeta’, an inmate at Kapurthala jail. Malkit Singh reportedly facilitated the procurement of two pistols for the hit; one was returned after it malfunctioned, while the second was seized by police during the arrests.Police have registered a first-information report (FIR) under relevant sections of the law. “Further investigation is in progress to ascertain additional links, the weapon supply chain, and other associates involved in this network,” SSP Alam said. MSID:: 126483429 413 |
