Why Is Punjab Becoming a Gangster Haven? Crime Journalist Answers
By Gunjan Handa
March 14, 2026
Punjab has long been known for its rich culture, music, and resilience. But in recent years, another narrative has been growing: the rise of gang culture. Newsreel Asia’s journalist Gunjan Handa interviewed Jupinderjit Singh on his new book, Gangs of Punjab: Guns, Greed and Girlfriends.
In this interview, senior journalist and author Jupinderjit Singh joins us to unpack how and why this transformation has happened. He has also written the book 'Who Killed Moosewala?,' which investigates the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala.
Drawing from decades of reporting on crime and policing in Punjab, Jupinderjit Singh explains how gangs evolved in the state, how social media and diaspora networks have changed the dynamics, and why young men are increasingly getting pulled into this world. He also talks about the role of drugs, politics, policing challenges, and the influence of gangsters on Punjabi pop culture.
This conversation goes beyond headlines to examine the deeper social and economic factors that have allowed gang culture to grow and what it means for the future of Punjab. Jupinderjit Singh is an award-winning journalist who specialises in crime reporting for The Tribune in Punjab. He has authored five books, two of which have been translated into Hindi. He is widely known for discovering the lost pistol of Bhagat Singh that was used to shoot a British police officer during the Saunders shooting in 1928.
The book is made available in US, UK, Canada, Europe and other parts of the world via Amazon Print on Demand (POD). As soon as the book is listed on Amazon.com, it is acquired by selected printing partners across the world and when the book is ordered via Amazon.com in Canda 9for this particular instance), the book is printed by a local retailer in that region and then shipped to the buyer. It usually take a month’s time for book to get listed on Amazon.com post its release on Amazon.in. So the book should be available to order from Amazon.com by the end of this month. He has also written the book Who Killed Moosewala?, which investigates the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala.