Sidhu Moosewala murder case: SC grants bail to accused Pawan Bishnoi, Jagtar Singh
Punjab Police alleged that the killing was the result of an inter-gang rivalry and that Lawrence Bishnoi gang was involved in it
The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to accused Pawan Bishnoi and Jagtar Singh in the 2022 Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala murder case.
A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta granted bail to Pawan Bishnoi and Jagtar Singh on their petitions challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s August 1, 2025 order turning down their bail pleas.
Moosewala (28) was shot dead on May 29, 2022 by assailants in Punjab’s Mansa district, a day after the state government curtailed his security cover.
Punjab Police alleged that the killing of the popular singer was the result of an inter-gang rivalry and that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was involved in it. Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar – an aide of Lawrence Bishnoi -- had claimed responsibility for Moosewala’s murder.
While Pawan Bishnoi was accused being a part of Lawrence Bishnoi gang and of providing logistical support Moosewala’s assailants at the behest of Godly Brar, Jagtar Singh, Moosewala’s neighbour, allegedly helped in the reconnaissance of the slain singer’s residence.
Police have arrested 20 of the 24 accused against whom a chargesheet was filed, while the remaining four are not in India.
“The allegation against me is that I (Pawan Bishnoi) provided the Bolero which was used in the crime… Only my surname matches. I don’t have any other relation with Lawrence Bishnoi. It has been three years and 10 months since I have been inside (jail). I am seeking regular bail,” Pawan Bishnoi’s counsel Abhay Kumar told the Bench.
“It’s for your (Pawan Bishnoi) own safety that you should remain in jail,” the Bench said during the hearing.
In its August 1, 2025 order, the high court had rejected bail pleas of Pawan Bishnoi, Jagtar Singh and five other accused in the case.
The petitioners had challenged the high court’s order on the ground that despite categorical submissions recorded that there were 180 enlisted prosecution witnesses and only an alleged eye witness had been partly examined, the high court grossly erred in not appreciating that, at such speed, the trial would take many years to complete.
Pawan Bishnoi’s counsel Abhay Kumar contended that even the recording of evidence of alleged eye-witnesses would take substantial time.
Kumar argued that the high court erred in not appreciating that for the time being the incarceration of the petitioner is highly prejudicial, and the petitioner deserves the benefit of bail in a delayed trial without any fault attributable on his part, as established by the court through catena of its judgements.
The Punjab Government’s counsel opposed the bail pleas. He contended that Pawan had received 41 phone calls from co-accused persons to arrange the vehicle used in the murder.
“How were mobile phones used in jail? Your jail authorities are also in conspiracy? What’s the stage of trial?” the Bench asked.
