Saturday, March 29, 2025
Mansa, June 11, 2025 – The BBC has released a controversial two-part documentary on the assassination of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, despite formal objections and legal moves by the artist’s family to prevent its release. The film went live on YouTube early Wednesday at 5 a.m., amid rising criticism and calls for censorship.
Sidhu Moosewala, a globally recognized Punjabi singer, was shot dead on May 29, 2022. His father, Balkour Singh, had filed a petition in a Mansa court urging a stay on the documentary’s release or screening. He also wrote to the Director General of Police (DGP) in Maharashtra and the Mumbai Police, requesting intervention to halt the film’s screening, particularly a planned showing in a Mumbai cinema.
According to the family, the documentary contains interviews of individuals who are named in the official FIR related to Moosewala’s murder case. Balkour Singh expressed serious concern that such portrayals could potentially influence ongoing court proceedings and legal outcomes.
In his statement, he alleged that the documentary was produced without the family’s consent and includes “misleading content that could tarnish Sidhu’s legacy.” He stressed that the portrayal of suspects and inclusion of controversial narratives posed emotional and legal harm.
Despite the protests and pending legal petition, the BBC World Service went ahead with the digital release. Initially, a screening was planned in a Mumbai theater, but it was called off amid backlash and instead moved online.
The documentary has already stirred debate on social media and in media circles, drawing criticism for its timing and the inclusion of sensitive material related to an ongoing criminal investigation.
The Mansa court has scheduled a hearing on Balkour Singh’s petition for Thursday. Legal experts believe the court may examine whether the documentary violates sub judice rules or personal privacy rights of the family.
Meanwhile, supporters of the documentary argue for press freedom and the public’s right to know about high-profile cases. The film attempts to present a journalistic account of Moosewala’s life and untimely death, but the inclusion of suspect interviews has intensified controversy.
The release has triggered a larger debate on media responsibility, victim dignity, and the legal limits of documentary journalism. With the court yet to rule on the family’s objections, the issue continues to evolve — symbolizing the ongoing tension between storytelling and sensitivity in high-profile criminal cases.
