Manjeet Kaur was a 28-year-old Punjabi social media influencer who died on August 26, 2026, after spending nearly two months in the hospital with severe burn injuries. According to a complaint filed by her mother, Kaur was allegedly abducted from Chandigarh on July 3, taken to a forested area near Morinda in Punjab, assaulted, tied to a tree and set on fire. Chandigarh Police have registered a kidnapping and murder case against two suspects identified as Shubhi and Pinda. As of August 29, police were conducting raids to locate them.
Manjeet Kaur Alleged Abduction
Kaur’s Mother Says Two Acquaintances Called Her Out On The Night Of July 3. According to a complaint filed by Kaur’s mother, Kanta Devi, two people identified as Shubhi and Pinda contacted Kaur and asked her to meet them near a liquor shop in Sector 34, Chandigarh. Hindustan Times
The Suspects Allegedly Forced Kaur Into A Car. Her mother alleges that after Kaur arrived at the meeting place, the two suspects assaulted her, forced her into a vehicle and drove her from Chandigarh toward Morinda in Punjab. Times of India
Manjeet Kaur Allegedly Tied To A Tree And Set On Fire
Kaur Was Allegedly Taken To A Forested Area Near Morinda. Police and family accounts say the suspects transported Kaur to an isolated area outside Morinda after abducting her from Chandigarh. The Tribune
The Suspects Allegedly Tied Kaur To A Mulberry Tree And Set Her On Fire. Kaur’s mother alleges that Shubhi and Pinda physically assaulted her daughter, tied her to the tree and set her ablaze before leaving the area. The allegations remain under investigation and have not been established in court. Hindustan Times
An Acquaintance Allegedly Found Kaur Burning And Put Out The Flames. Reporting says another acquaintance arrived and found Kaur engulfed in flames. The person reportedly used a blanket to extinguish the fire and transported her for emergency medical treatment. Times of India
Manjeet Kaur Hospitalized With Severe Burns
Kaur Was Initially Taken To A Hospital In Morinda. Because of the severity of her injuries, she was subsequently moved to a hospital in Mohali for further treatment. Hindustan Times
Kaur Was Transferred To PGIMER In Chandigarh On July 9. She remained hospitalized at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research for weeks while doctors treated her extensive burn injuries. Hindustan Times
Kaur Was Unconscious For Much Of Her Hospitalization. According to her family, she remained unconscious for several weeks after the attack before briefly regaining consciousness. Hindustan Times
Manjeet Kaur’s Account Of The Attack
Kaur Regained Consciousness On August 5. Her family says that when she temporarily regained consciousness, she was able to describe what allegedly happened to her. Hindustan Times
Kaur Allegedly Identified Shubhi And Pinda As Her Attackers. Her mother’s complaint attributes the abduction, assault and burning to the two acquaintances. Police have since named both as suspects in the criminal investigation. Hindustan Times
Manjeet Kaur Dies From Her Injuries
Kaur Died On August 26, 2026. After approximately 54 days of medical treatment, Kaur succumbed to her burn injuries at PGIMER in Chandigarh. Times of India
Her Death Turned The Case Into A Murder Investigation. Following Kaur’s death and a complaint from her mother, Chandigarh Police registered an FIR alleging kidnapping and murder. Hindustan Times
Murder Charges Against Shubhi And Pinda
Police Registered A Case Against Two Suspects. Chandigarh’s Sector 34 police station registered the case against individuals identified as Shubhi and Pinda. Hindustan Times
The FIR Includes Kidnapping And Murder Allegations. Police registered the case under Section 140(1), concerning kidnapping, Section 103(1), concerning murder, and Section 3(5), concerning joint criminal liability, of India’s Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Hindustan Times
The Suspects Had Not Been Arrested As Of August 29. Police teams were conducting raids and attempting to locate Shubhi and Pinda. The accusations against them remain allegations and have not been proven in court. Hindustan Times
Possible Relationship With A Suspect
Police Sources Say Kaur May Have Been In A Live-In Relationship With One Of The Suspects. Investigators told local media that Kaur had allegedly been in a live-in relationship with one of the people named in the case. Authorities have not publicly established whether the relationship was connected to the motive for the attack. Hindustan Times
A Motive Has Not Been Publicly Established. As of August 29, police had not announced a definitive explanation for why Kaur was allegedly abducted and burned. The Tribune
Questions About Police Response
The Case Has Raised Questions About Why Police Did Not Record Kaur’s Statement Earlier. Indian media reported that Kaur regained consciousness during her hospitalization and wanted police to take her statement, but authorities allegedly failed to do so before her condition deteriorated. Times of India
The PGIMER Police Post Reportedly Alerted Punjab Police That Kaur Was Able To Give A Statement. According to the Times of India, hospital police personnel informed Kharar Sadar police that Kaur was conscious and medically capable of speaking. Times of India
Punjab Police Have Disputed Allegations Of Negligence. Police officials have denied that they improperly ignored the case, while questions about the handling of Kaur’s attempted statement remain part of public scrutiny surrounding the investigation. Times of India
Police Search For Evidence
Investigators Are Reviewing CCTV Footage. Chandigarh Police are examining surveillance footage along the route from Sector 34 in Chandigarh toward Morinda in an effort to reconstruct Kaur’s movements and locate the suspects. Hindustan Times
Police Are Interviewing Kaur’s Friends And Relatives. Investigators are also questioning people who knew Kaur as they seek evidence concerning the alleged abduction, the suspects and a possible motive. Hindustan Times
Who Was Manjeet Kaur?
Kaur Was A Punjabi Social Media Influencer From Kharar. She lived in the Kharar area near Chandigarh and built an audience through social media content. The Tribune
Kaur Had Approximately 146,000 Instagram Followers. Her online content included short-form videos, cosmetic-product promotions and reels featuring Punjabi and Haryanvi music. The Tribune
Kaur Also Had A YouTube Audience. Reporting after her death said she had nearly 4,000 subscribers on YouTube. The Tribune
Kaur Was Divorced And Had A Seven-Year-Old Son. Police and family reporting said she is survived by her young son. Hindustan Times
Case Status
The Murder Investigation Is Active. As of August 29, 2026, Chandigarh Police were searching for the two named suspects and collecting CCTV footage and witness statements. Hindustan Times
No Arrest Has Yet Been Publicly Announced. The two people named in the FIR remain accused rather than convicted, and authorities have not publicly announced a final motive or complete reconstruction of the alleged attack. The Tribune
One of the first political bloggers in the world, Oliver Willis has operated OliverWillis.com since 2000. Contributor at Media Matters for America and The American Independent. Follow on Twitter at @owillis. Full bio.