In a dramatic twist to the ongoing investigation into the murder of Sikh activist Gurpreet Singh Hari Nau, the Punjab Police have turned to popular dating app Tinder, seeking critical digital evidence. The account under scrutiny, registered under the name Amrit Sandhu, is suspected to be linked to controversial preacher and newly elected Khadoor Sahib MP, Amritpal Singh, currently jailed under the National Security Act (NSA).
A Murder that Shook Punjab’s Radical Circles
The case revolves around the October 2023 murder of Gurpreet Singh Hari Nau, a member of the radical outfit Waris Punjab De, led by Amritpal Singh. Nau was shot dead while returning home from a Gurdwara on his motorcycle in Tarn Taran district.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav had earlier stated that the killing was carried out at the alleged behest of Amritpal Singh. In connection with the murder, three members of the notorious Arsh Dalla gang were arrested, believed to be the masterminds behind the execution.
Dating App Turns Investigative Focus
On May 26, 2025, Punjab Police officially reached out to Tinder, seeking detailed user information about an account registered under the name Amrit Sandhu. Investigators believe the account may be a digital alias for Amritpal Singh and could offer insights into the murder conspiracy.
In their communication with Tinder, the Punjab Police emphasized:
“During the course of investigation, a Tinder account under the name 'Amrit Sandhu' (screenshot attached) was identified, and the account is suspected to be linked with Amritpal Singh, accused in the said FIR.”
Authorities are keen to retrieve the following from Tinder:
Name, date of birth, and phone number linked to the account
IP logs and location history since January 1, 2019
Linked email IDs and mobile numbers
Uploaded photographs and media files
Mutual matches, contact list, and friend connections
Chat history and messages exchanged via the platform
This unprecedented digital probe could mark a turning point in the case, providing potentially incriminating or exonerating evidence.
A New Front in the Digital Age of Policing
This investigation showcases a significant shift in how law enforcement operates in an increasingly digitized world. Platforms like Tinder, traditionally seen as outside the sphere of criminal intelligence, are now becoming focal points in serious crime investigations.
Amritpal Singh's association with Waris Punjab De and his controversial politics have long been under scrutiny. His arrest in 2023 under the NSA followed a statewide manhunt. Linking a dating app account to someone under high-security surveillance may open up a new dimension of understanding his communications and network.
Civil Liberties vs National Security
The move has sparked a quiet but rising debate around digital privacy, surveillance, and the limits of state power. While law enforcement agencies justify the request as essential for solving a serious crime, civil liberties advocates warn of dangerous precedents.
“Seeking private data from a dating app to build a criminal case needs to be scrutinized closely to ensure it’s not a fishing expedition,” said one digital rights activist. Others argue that when national security and targeted killings are involved, digital footprints can no longer be exempt from legal examination.
Echoes of a Larger Pattern
This is not the first time that Amritpal Singh has been linked with controversial digital activity. Earlier, an audio clip purportedly linking him to gangster Jaipal Singh was circulated, leading to further questions about his connections and network across criminal syndicates.
The murder of Gurpreet Singh Hari Nau, though underreported compared to high-profile political assassinations, highlights the murky interface of radical ideology, organized crime, and technology in modern India. If the Tinder account is proven to be operated by Amritpal Singh or someone in his inner circle, it could dramatically alter the course of the ongoing investigation and court proceedings.
The Road Ahead
As of now, Tinder has not publicly responded to the police’s request, and it remains unclear whether they have complied or are in the process of doing so. Given the international nature of data storage and privacy laws, this could involve complex legal navigation, possibly invoking data-sharing treaties or judicial permissions.
What’s evident is that digital traces are becoming as crucial as physical evidence in criminal investigations. In this case, a dating app account could become a key witness — silent, but full of stories waiting to be decoded.