‘Abducted, tied to tree, set ablaze’: Chandigarh influencer, 28, dies after weeks in hospital

A 28-year-old social media influencer, Manjeet Kaur, who was allegedly abducted from Chandigarh and set on fire in Morinda, died during treatment at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) on August 26.

Following a complaint by her mother, Kanta Devi, Chandigarh Police registered a case of kidnapping and murder against two suspects identified as Shubhi and Pinda.

According to the complaint, the two acquaintances called Manjeet late on July 3 and asked her to meet near a liquor shop in Sector 34, Chandigarh. When she arrived, they allegedly forced her into a car and drove her to Morinda.

Police said Manjeet was allegedly assaulted, tied to a mulberry tree and set on fire. An acquaintance who saw her engulfed in flames put out the fire with a blanket and rushed her to a hospital in Morinda.

She was later shifted to a hospital in Mohali before being referred to PGIMER in Chandigarh on July 9 due to the severity of her injuries.

Manjeet remained unconscious for several weeks before briefly regaining consciousness on August 5. According to her family, she then recounted the alleged attack. Her condition subsequently deteriorated, and she died on August 26 from her burn injuries.

After her death, police at Sector 34 registered an FIR under Sections 140(1) (kidnapping), 103(1) (murder) and 3(5) (joint criminal liability) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Inspector Shadi Lal, SHO of Sector 34 police station, said Manjeet was divorced and is survived by her seven-year-old son. Police sources said she had allegedly been in a live-in relationship with one of the suspects.

Police teams are conducting raids to trace Shubhi and Pinda. Investigators are also examining CCTV footage along the route from Sector 34 to Morinda and questioning Manjeet’s family members and acquaintances as part of the investigation.