Mohali: A 30-year-old woman whom a colleague stabbed to death at her Mohali office on Thursday was to be married in a few days.Dimple of Patiala was attacked at her desk during a shift change at the freight brokerage and business support firm in Sector 66 where she had worked for three years. Medical examiners confirmed she had sustained 34 stab wounds.The suspect, Harvinder Mann, 34, whose parents reside in the US, is under police guard in critical condition after using the same knife to stab himself 10-11 times in the neck, said police.Dimple’s brother said: “The family had recently finalised arrangements for her wedding, which was due within days.”The assault, captured on security cameras, unfolded in full view of a few employees present on the floor.Footage shows Mann approached Dimple from behind as she sat at her computer. When she tried to flee, Mann dragged her by the hair. As colleagues gathered to rescue her, Mann brandished the knife to keep them at bay while continuing the assault.Emergency services moved Dimple and Mann to a local hospital, but Dimple couldn’t get there alive.Preliminary investigations indicate the two had been good friends since starting at the firm before parting ways six months ago. Mohali Phase XI station house officer, Aman Baidwan, told new agencies a rift had formed after Dimple had repeatedly rejected Mann’s attempts at reconciliation.Police claimed that Mann had gone through the depression of a prior breakup shortly before he had met Dimple. Both lived in separate paying-guest accommodations on the outskirts of Chandigarh and commuted home to Patiala on weekends.City-II DSP Harsimran Singh Bal confirmed that a murder case has been registered against Mann. Detectives are recording statements from witnesses and Dimple’s family.“The accused remains in a critical state,” the DSP said. “His formal arrest and interrogation remain on hold until medical staff clear him for discharge.”
