A 28-year-old social media influencer, Manjeet Kaur, died at PGIMER, Chandigarh, on August 26, weeks after she was allegedly abducted from the city and set on fire in Morinda.
According to a complaint filed by her mother, Kanta Devi, Manjeet was allegedly called by two acquaintances, identified as Shubhi and Pinda, late on July 3. The suspects reportedly asked her to meet near a liquor shop in Sector 34, Chandigarh.
After she arrived, the two allegedly forced her into a car and drove her to Morinda. Police are investigating allegations that she was assaulted, tied to a mulberry tree and set on fire.
An acquaintance reportedly spotted Manjeet engulfed in flames and used a blanket to put out the fire before rushing her to a hospital in Morinda. She was subsequently shifted to a hospital in Mohali and later referred to PGIMER, Chandigarh, where she was admitted on July 9.
Manjeet briefly regained consciousness
Manjeet reportedly remained unconscious at PGIMER for several weeks. She briefly regained consciousness on August 5 and, according to her family, recounted the alleged incident.
Despite medical treatment, her condition deteriorated because of the severity of her burn injuries. She died on August 26.
Following her death, police at Sector 34 police station registered a case under Sections 140(1) (kidnapping), 103(1) (murder) and 3(5) (joint criminal liability) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police launch search for suspects
Police said teams are conducting raids to trace Shubhi and Pinda. Investigators are also examining CCTV footage along the route between Sector 34 in Chandigarh and Morinda to reconstruct the alleged abduction and track the suspects’ movements.
Family members and friends are being questioned as part of the investigation.
Inspector Shadi Lal, SHO of Sector 34 police station, said Manjeet was a divorcee and is survived by her seven-year-old son. Police sources also said she had allegedly been in a live-in relationship with one of the suspects.
The investigation is underway, and police are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction, assault and death.