Punjabi social media influencer Manjeet Kaur, who was allegedly abducted from Chandigarh and set on fire near Morinda on the intervening night of July 3 and 4, died at PGIMER, Chandigarh, on August 26 after nearly two months of treatment.
Her death has raised questions not only over the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack, but also over the delay in recording her statement despite claims that she had regained consciousness and wanted to speak to the police.
According to a complaint filed by her mother, Kanta Devi, Kaur was allegedly called to Sector 34 in Chandigarh by two acquaintances, identified as Shubhi and Pinda, on the intervening night of July 3 and 4.
The two allegedly assaulted Kaur, forced her into a vehicle and took her to a forested area near Morinda. Police said the accused allegedly tied her to a tree and set her on fire before fleeing.
Another acquaintance later reached the spot and reportedly extinguished the flames using a blanket.
Kaur suffered severe burn injuries. She was initially taken to a hospital in Morinda and was subsequently treated at Max Hospital in Mohali before being shifted to PGIMER, Chandigarh.
She remained under treatment at PGIMER until her death on August 26.
The case has also brought the response of Punjab Police under scrutiny.
Sources said Kaur regained consciousness during her treatment at PGIMER and wanted to have her statement recorded. According to the sources, the PGIMER police post informed Kharar Sadar police that Kaur was conscious and in a condition to give her statement.
The information was reportedly conveyed to the investigating officer, but he allegedly did not reach the hospital. A daily diary report (DDR) was also reportedly recorded at the PGI police post regarding the communication.
After Kaur’s death on August 26, the PGI police post again communicated with Kharar Sadar police, following which the investigating officer reached the hospital.
Her mother subsequently approached Chandigarh Police. Her statement was recorded at the Sector 34 police station, following which an FIR for abduction and murder was registered.
Punjab Police have denied allegations of negligence, maintaining that the alleged abduction took place in Chandigarh and that the case therefore had to be registered by Chandigarh Police. Police have also said that Kharar police provided assistance to Kaur’s mother and facilitated the registration of the case.
Chandigarh Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction and attack.
Investigators are examining CCTV footage from Sector 34 and adjoining areas to establish Kaur’s movements and identify the vehicle allegedly used to take her to Morinda. Toll-plaza camera footage may also be examined to trace the vehicle’s route.
The police are also expected to investigate why Kaur had gone to Sector 34, what happened after she was allegedly abducted and what led to the attack.
Kaur’s postmortem was conducted at PGIMER on Thursday, after which her body was handed over to her family.
The unanswered questions
The case leaves several questions that investigators will need to answer:
- Why was Kaur allegedly taken from Chandigarh to Morinda?
- Were Shubhi and Pinda the only people involved, or were others part of the alleged attack?
- What was the motive behind the assault and burning?
- Did the hospitals where Kaur was treated before PGIMER inform the police about the case as a medico-legal matter?
- Did Kaur or her family approach Punjab Police earlier with allegations of abduction and burning? If so, what action was taken?
- Why was Kaur’s statement allegedly not recorded after the PGIMER police post reportedly informed Kharar Sadar police that she was conscious and fit to give one?
- What evidence can CCTV and toll-plaza footage reveal about the alleged abduction and movement of the vehicle?
The investigation will now have to establish the sequence of events from Kaur’s arrival in Sector 34 to the alleged attack near Morinda, while also determining whether any procedural lapses delayed the registration or investigation of the case.
