Punjabi social media influencer Manjeet Kaur dies after abduction and burning

CHANDIGARH: Punjabi social media influencer Manjeet Kaur died at PGIMER nearly two months after she was allegedly abducted from Chandigarh, taken to a forested area near Morinda, tied to a tree and set on fire. Kaur died on August 26 while undergoing treatment for severe burn injuries. Chandigarh Police have now registered a case of abduction and murder after her mother, Kanta Devi, approached the police. The case has also raised questions over the alleged failure of Punjab Police to record Kaur’s statement when she was reportedly conscious and had expressed her intention to give one.

According to Kanta Devi’s complaint, two acquaintances of her daughter, Shubhi and Pinda, called Kaur to Sector 34 in Chandigarh on the intervening night of July 3 and 4. They allegedly assaulted her, forced her into a vehicle and took her to a forested area near Morinda in Punjab. Police said the two allegedly tied Kaur to a tree and set her on fire before fleeing the spot. Another acquaintance later reached the area and reportedly extinguished the flames using a blanket. Kaur was taken to a hospital in Morinda and later treated at Max Hospital in Mohali. She was subsequently shifted to PGIMER in Chandigarh, where she remained under treatment until her death.

The case has brought the response of Kharar Sadar police under scrutiny. Sources said Kaur regained consciousness during her treatment at PGIMER and wanted to have her statement recorded. Kaur, or one of her acquaintances, reportedly contacted police from the hospital after she regained consciousness. The PGIMER police post also informed Kharar Sadar police that Kaur was conscious and in a condition to give her statement. The information was reportedly passed on to the investigating officer, but he allegedly did not reach the hospital. A daily diary report (DDR) regarding the communication was also recorded at the PGI police post, sources said. Despite this, no case was registered during the nearly two months Kaur remained under treatment.

Kaur died at PGIMER on August 26. Following her death, the PGI police post again sent a communication to Kharar Sadar police. The investigating officer subsequently reached the hospital. Kaur’s mother was later taken to the Sector 34 police station in Chandigarh, where her statement was recorded and an FIR was registered on Wednesday night. Her postmortem was conducted at PGIMER on Thursday, after which her body was handed over to the family.

Chandigarh Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction and attack. Investigators are examining why Kaur had gone to Sector 34, the vehicle allegedly used to abduct her and the motive behind the attack. Police are also examining CCTV footage from Sector 34 and adjoining areas. Toll-plaza camera footage is likely to be checked to trace the vehicle allegedly used to transport Kaur from Chandigarh to Morinda. Investigators will also examine whether the two hospitals where Kaur was treated before being shifted to PGIMER informed police about the medico-legal case (MLC).

Kaur reportedly lived in Sunny Enclave, while her mother and brother reside in Sector 19, Panchkula. Chandigarh Police will also verify whether Kanta Devi had previously approached Punjab Police with allegations that her daughter had been abducted and burnt. If she had, investigators will examine what action was taken on those allegations.

The alleged attack: Kaur was allegedly abducted from Sector 34 on the intervening night of July 3 and 4 and taken to a forested area near Morinda. She was allegedly tied to a tree and set on fire. She suffered severe burn injuries and was first taken to a hospital in Morinda, then treated at a hospital in Mohali before being shifted to PGIMER.

The alleged delay: Kaur reportedly regained consciousness during treatment and sought to record her statement. The PGIMER police post informed Kharar Sadar police that she was conscious and fit to give a statement, but the investigating officer allegedly did not reach the hospital. A DDR was recorded at the PGI police post.

Several questions remain unanswered as the investigation continues:

Why was Kaur allegedly taken from Chandigarh to Morinda?

Were Shubhi and Pinda the only people involved in the alleged attack?

Did the two hospitals treating Kaur before PGIMER inform police about the MLC?

Did Kaur or her family approach Punjab Police earlier with allegations of abduction and burning?

If they did, what action was taken?

Why was Kaur’s statement not recorded despite the PGI police post reportedly informing Kharar Sadar police that she was fit to give one?

Punjab Police have denied allegations of negligence. The police said the alleged abduction took place in Chandigarh and therefore action was to be taken by Chandigarh Police. It was also said that Kharar police provided full assistance to Kaur’s mother and facilitated registration of the FIR. The investigation will now focus on reconstructing the events from the alleged abduction in Chandigarh to the attack near Morinda, while also examining whether opportunities to record Kaur’s statement were missed during her treatment.