Chandigarh: She was allegedly tied to a tree in a forested area near Morinda and set on fire after being abducted from Chandigarh. Nearly two months later, Punjabi social media influencer Manjeet Kaur died of burn injuries at PGIMER, with Chandigarh Police now registering a case of abduction and murder. Punjab Police is also under scanner for failing to record her statement during the time she was under treatment, despite her communicating her intent to do so.Kaur was allegedly burnt alive on the night of July 3 after being abducted from Sector 34 and taken to Morinda. She died during treatment at PGIMER on Aug 26. Her mother, Kanta Devi, approached Chandigarh Police, following which Sector 34 police registered an FIR on Wednesday night.The case has also put the spotlight on the alleged delay by Kharar Sadar police in recording Kaur’s statement. Sources said Kaur sought to get her statement recorded after she regained consciousness during treatment, but no case was registered during the nearly two months she remained under treatment.According to Kanta Devi’s complaint, two acquaintances of her daughter, Shubhi and Pinda, had called Kaur to Sector 34 on the intervening night of July 3 and 4. They allegedly assaulted her, forced her into a vehicle and took her to a forested area near Morinda. There, they allegedly tied her to a tree and set her on fire before fleeing.Another acquaintance later reached the spot and extinguished the flames with a blanket. Kaur was rushed to a hospital in Morinda and subsequently treated at Max Hospital, Mohali, before being shifted to PGIMER, where she remained under treatment until her death.Sources said Kaur, or one of her acquaintances, contacted police from PGIMER after she regained consciousness and sought to have her statement recorded. The PGIMER police post also 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) regarding the communication was also recorded at the PGI police post, sources said.After Kaur’s death on Aug 26, the PGI police post again sent a communication to Kharar Sadar police. The investigating officer subsequently reached the hospital. Kaur’s mother was later taken to the Sector 34 police station, where her statement was recorded and the case registered.Kaur’s postmortem was conducted at PGI on Thursday, following which her body was handed over to the family.Chandigarh Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction, including why Kaur had gone to Sector 34, the vehicle allegedly used to abduct her and the motive behind the attack.Police are examining CCTV footage from Sector 34 and adjoining areas and are likely to check toll-plaza camera footage to trace the vehicle allegedly used to transport her to Morinda.The investigation will also examine whether the two hospitals where Kaur was treated before being shifted to PGI had informed police about the medico-legal case (MLC).Kaur reportedly resided in Sunny Enclave, while her mother and brother live in Sector 19, Panchkula. Chandigarh Police will also verify whether Kanta Devi had earlier approached Punjab Police with allegations of abduction and burning and, if so, what action was taken.CASE SO FAR:The alleged attack: Manjeet Kaur was allegedly abducted from Sector 34 on the intervening night of July 3 and 4, taken to a forested area near Morinda, tied to a tree and set on fire. She suffered severe burn injuries and was first taken to a hospital in Morinda, then treated at a hospital in Mohali, before being shifted to PGIMERThe delay: Kaur reportedly regained consciousness during treatment and sought to record her statement. The PGIMER police post informed Kharar Sadar police that she was conscious and fit to give a statement, but the investigating officer allegedly did not reach the hospital. A DDR was recorded at the PGI police postUnanswered Questions–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?Police responsePunjab Police denied allegations of negligence, saying the alleged abduction took place in Chandigarh and therefore action was to be taken by Chandigarh Police. It was said that Kharar police provided full assistance to Kaur’s mother and facilitated registration of the FIR.
