Why was Kaur allegedly taken to Morinda?Were Shubhi and Pinda the only people involved? Did the two hospitals treating her before PGI inform police about the medico-legal case? Did Kaur or her family approach Punjab Police earlier with allegations of abduction and burning, and if so, what action was taken? Why was her statement not recorded despite the PGI police post reportedly informing Kharar Sadar police that she was fit to give one?These are among the key unanswered questions surrounding the death of 28-year-old Punjabi social media influencer Manjeet Kaur, who died nearly two months after she was allegedly abducted from Chandigarh and set on fire in Punjab’s Morinda.Kaur died during treatment at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh on 26 August, police said.Her death has now led Chandigarh Police to register a case of kidnapping and murder. The case has also brought the response of Punjab Police under scrutiny over allegations that her statement was not recorded while she was undergoing treatment.
What happened to Manjeet Kaur?
According to a complaint filed by Kaur’s mother, Kanta Devi, Manjeet Kaur was allegedly abducted on 3 July after two acquaintances, identified as Shubhi and Pinda, called her near a liquor shop in Sector 34, Chandigarh.She was allegedly taken to Morinda in Punjab, where she was assaulted, tied to a tree in a forested area and set on fire.A friend who reached the location reportedly used a blanket to put out the flames before taking Kaur to a hospital in Morinda.She was later shifted to a private hospital in Mohali and eventually admitted to PGIMER in Chandigarh.Kaur remained under treatment for nearly two months before she died from her injuries.
Why was her statement not recorded?
One of the central questions in the case is why Kaur’s statement was allegedly not recorded after she regained consciousness.Her mother alleged that Kaur regained consciousness on 5 August and was willing to give her statement to the police.The family said it informed Kharar Sadar police in Mohali and requested officers to record her statement, but no police personnel arrived.Sources also said Kaur had sought to have her statement recorded after regaining consciousness during treatment.The PGIMER police post had reportedly informed Kharar Sadar police that Kaur was fit to give a statement.However, no case was registered during the nearly two months she remained under treatment.Punjab Police have rejected the allegations, saying they fully cooperated with the family.The circumstances surrounding the delay in recording Kaur’s statement are now likely to form part of the investigation.
Police register murder case
Following Kaur’s death, her mother approached Chandigarh Police.Sector 34 police subsequently registered an FIR on Wednesday night.A case under sections 103 (1) (murder) and 140 (1) (kidnapping), among other provisions, has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), police said.Chandigarh Deputy Superintendent of Police (South) Gurjeet Kaur said the investigation was underway and efforts were being made to trace those responsible.Police are examining CCTV footage and other evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping and identify the assailants.The motive behind the killing has not yet been established.
Were more people involved?
Kaur’s mother has named Shubhi and Pinda in her complaint, alleging that they were involved in her abduction.However, police are yet to establish whether the two were the only people involved.Investigators are also trying to determine what happened after Kaur was allegedly taken from Chandigarh to Morinda and who was present when she was attacked.The reason she was allegedly taken to Morinda also remains unclear.
Did hospitals alert police?
Another question concerns whether the hospitals where Kaur was treated before she was admitted to PGIMER informed police about the incident as a medico-legal case.Kaur was first taken to a hospital in Morinda after being rescued from the alleged attack. She was later shifted to a private hospital in Mohali before being admitted to PGIMER.It is not yet clear what information was shared with police by the hospitals or whether any earlier complaint was made regarding the alleged abduction and burning.Police are now investigating the circumstances of the case and working to establish the sequence of events.
Who was Manjeet Kaur?
Kaur was a social media influencer with around 1.46 lakh followers on Instagram.She regularly posted videos featuring Punjabi and Haryanvi songs and had built a following through her social media content.Her death, nearly two months after the alleged attack, has raised questions not only about who abducted and attacked her but also about whether crucial information could have been obtained while she was alive.
