Congress politician and rapper Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead by unidentified gunmen yesterday. The musician was en route to his village in Mansa when assailants peppered his SUV with a shower of bullets, 4 km from his house. Rushed to the Mansa Civil Hospital, he would not survive treatment. Accompanying him were two associates, who are now in critical condition. Known for his provocative lyrics- often promoting violent behaviour and gun use- Moose Wala had built up a cult following in his native Punjab and abroad. However, with alleged ties to mobsters, his death could be the result of  gang relations gone sour. The controversial singer turned politician was frequently on the wrong side of the law, with a string of cases to his name. We look on back on three of his most notorious engagements with the law:  

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1. Using Firearms and Flouting Lockdown Restrictions

On 4th May 2020, two videos showing the singer using firearms went viral. In one of the videos, five policemen were spotted training the musician to use an AK-47 at a firing range in Badbar. Acting under the instructions of then DGP Dinkar Gupta, Dhanauala Police would file an FIR under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act against the musician and five policemen for violating curfew restrictions during the lockdown. 

Within 24 hours of the first FIR, a second would be slapped against Moose Wala- this time by Dhuri Sadar Police Station- under the same charges. Filed in relation to the second of his two videos, the rapper was shown firing his private pistol at the Laddai Kothi shooting range. 

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2. Charged under the Arms Act

Within days of the videos going viral, lawyer Ravi Joshi filed a PIL demanding stricter actions against Moose Wala. Seen as he was using firearms in the presence of police personnel, the lawyer argued that the present charges did not reflect the seriousness of the crime nor the societal impact of his actions. In response, Punjab Police would sanction him under Sections 25 and 30 of the Arms Act on 19th May 2020, in addition to the charges filed prior. 

The case would take a further twist when Moose Wala would evade arrest for charges under the Arms Act. On May 22nd, Punjab police would conduct raids across his village- after finding his house under lock- but to no avail. He would soon reappear, applying for anticipatory bail which was rejected. He would however get regular bail after agreeing to participate in police investigations into the twin violations of the Arms Act. 

Also Read: Moose Wala’s security was withdrawn a day before Punjab singer’s death

3. Not Waxing Lyrical

In July 2020, he released a single titled ‘Sanju’, in which he makes references to charges under the Arms Act. Explicit in its content, the song boasts of how possessing weapons is a sign of masculinity while encouraging violence and gun use. In the video, news clips of his arrest would segue into footage of Sanjay Dutt facing trial on similar charges. 

Accused of glorifying weapons, he was charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code: Section 188 (Disobedience), Section 294 (Obscene Acts and Videos) and Section 504 (Provocation to break public peace).