Chandigarh: UT police have been conducting raids at the Moga residence of Rinku, the prime accused in the murder case of Punjabi social media influencer Manjit Kaur, but he and his father continue to evade arrest, police sources said. Investigators said Rinku’s mother has died, while his siblings are settled abroad.Police inquiries have revealed that Rinku was involved in property dealing. His mobile phone has been under surveillance, but it remains switched off. Investigators are now monitoring his relatives and associates in an effort to trace his whereabouts.The probe has taken a new turn following the interrogation of arrested accused Parminder Singh alias Pinda. In a video recorded before her death, Manjit had claimed she was taken to Morinda and set on fire. However, Pinda allegedly told police that she was not taken to Morinda and was instead set ablaze near Sector 34.Police also questioned Manjit’s friend Neha in Pinda’s presence. According to investigators, Pinda denied Neha was present at the scene and claimed that only he, Rinku and another accused, Shibhu, were with Manjit after she was taken from Sector 34. Police said a check of Neha’s mobile location also did not place her in Sector 34 at the relevant time.During questioning, Pinda reportedly shared information about Rinku’s phone and movements. Based on these disclosures, police conducted raids at multiple locations in Punjab and Mohali but have so far failed to trace the main accused.Pinda was earlier remanded in police custody for three days. After completion of the remand period, he was produced before a court and sent to judicial custody.According to police sources, Rinku and Manjit had spoken on the phone before she reached Sector 34. Investigators suspect the conversation led to an argument, following which Rinku arrived there with his associates. Police believe another altercation may have taken place before Manjit was allegedly forced into a vehicle and taken away. Investigators suspect she was later set on fire at a location outside Sector 34.Manjit succumbed to her injuries at PGI on Aug 26. Her mother, Kanta Devi, had alleged that Manjit was called to Sector 34 on July 3 by acquaintances and later taken to an isolated spot near Morinda, where she was assaulted, tied to a tree and set on fire. A friend reportedly rescued her and rushed her to hospital before she was shifted to PGI.Box: Key developmentsRinku, prime accused, remains abscondingPolice conducting raids in Moga, Punjab and MohaliPinda disputes victim’s claim of being taken to MorindaNeha’s mobile location did not place her at Sector 34, police sayInvestigators tracking Rinku’s relatives and associatesPinda sent to judicial custody after police remand
