Punjab Police chief VK Bhawra said he never called Sidhu Moose Wala a gangster or that he was affiliated with gangsters. The director general of police's (DGP) clarification came after the slain Punjabi singer's father Balkaur Singh wrote to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann demanding a public apology from Bhawra for linking his son's killing with a gang war.

In the letter to the chief minister, Singh had also demanded a probe by a sitting high court judge into the killing of his son. Later, in a statement, DGP Bhawra said he has the highest respect for Sidhu Moose Wala, and called him a celebrated artist and a cultural icon of Punjab. Condemning the killing, the state police chief said an investigation was underway and the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice. Bhawra further said on no occasion, has he ever said that Moose Wala was a gangster or affiliated with gangsters. "Claims and counterclaims by various persons claiming to be gangsters are being made on social media. One Goldy Brar has claimed responsibility on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang (for the killing of Moose Wala)," said the DGP.