More than two years after Sidhu Moose Wala’s brutal killing in Punjab’s Mansa district, the main accused, Satinderjit Singh, alias Goldy Brar, has openly admitted his role and offered chilling justifications in an exclusive interview with the BBC.
On a late May afternoon in 2022, Moose Wala was driving his black Mahindra Thar SUV when two vehicles began to chase him. One car abruptly blocked his path. Moments later, gunmen opened fire, spraying over 100 bullets into his vehicle, killing the popular Punjabi singer.
Speaking to the BBC, Goldy Brar said, “In his arrogance, he [Moose Wala] made some mistakes that could not be forgiven. We had no option but to kill him. He had to face the consequences of his actions. It was either him or us. As simple as that.”
Brar, a close associate of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, operates from Canada and is declared a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice against him, and Indian authorities have a non-bailable warrant for his arrest.
According to India’s Home Ministry, Brar plays a major role in smuggling weapons and explosives across the India-Pakistan border using drones. He’s also accused of collaborating with the banned Babbar Khalsa International group and disrupting peace in Punjab through targeted killings and terror module recruitment.
Tensions Rooted in Kabaddi Tournament, Claims Brar
Brar claimed the conflict with Moose Wala started over a kabaddi tournament. “That’s a village our rivals come from. He was promoting our rivals. That’s when Lawrence and others were upset with him. They threatened Sidhu and said they wouldn’t spare him,” he alleged.
He further claimed that Moose Wala attempted to win over Bishnoi by sending daily greetings. “Lawrence was in touch with Sidhu. I don’t know who introduced them, and I never asked. But they did speak. Sidhu used to send ‘good morning’ and ‘good night’ messages in an effort to flatter Lawrence,” he added.
An intermediary, Vicky Middukhera, reportedly helped ease the tension before being shot dead in Mohali in 2021. Brar accused Moose Wala of playing a role in that murder as well.
“Everyone knew Sidhu’s role, the police investigating knew, even the journalists who were investigating knew,” he claimed. “Sidhu mixed with politicians and people in power. He was using political power, money, and his resources to help our rivals. We wanted him to face punishment for what he’d done. He should have been booked. He should have been jailed. But nobody listened to our plea. So we took it upon ourselves. When decency falls on deaf ears, it’s the gunshot that gets heard.”
Dismisses India’s Legal System
When asked if his actions amounted to vigilantism, Brar dismissed the Indian justice system outright. “Law. Justice. There’s no such thing. Only the powerful can… [obtain] justice, not ordinary people like us. I did what I had to do for my brother. I have no remorse whatsoever,” he said.