Punjab was in for a shock on Tuesday after the decomposed body of a critically-acclaimed singer, Inder Kaur, was recovered from the Sirhind Canal in Punjab’s Neelon area, almost a week after she had been abducted at gunpoint from the Ludhiana city. According to police reports emerging on Wednesday, the singer was killed after she allegedly turned down a marriage proposal from a married man she had befriended on the social media platform Instagram. 

Police identify accused as Sukhwinder Singh

According to police, they are suspecting one Sukhwinder Singh (37) of committing the crime. Singh, as learnt by the police, is a native of Moga and is currently based in Canada. Kaur’s kin alleged that Singh plotted the murder after the singer severed ties with him upon discovering that he was already married and had two children. 

Instagram friendship takes a dark turn

Kaur’s family members told the police that she had quit the music industry five years ago, and used to run a boutique and a makeup studio. She came in contact with Sukhwinder Singh via Instagram around three years ago. 

Initially, their friendship appeared normal and Kaur’s family was aware of their acquaintance. However, tensions escalated after Kaur learnt that Sukhwinder was already married and had two children. She refused Sukhwinder’s marriage proposal and broke all contacts with him, triggering hostility. 

Kaur’s brother Jotinder Singh said that she had left her house in Ludhiana’s Jamalpur Colony on May 13, 2026 at around 6:30 pm in her car to buy groceries, but never returned home. 

Kin allege premeditated abduction-murder plan

The family claimed that they themselves began searching for Kaur, during which they discovered that Sukhwinder, accompanied by his father Pritam Singh, aide Karamjit Singh and several other unidentified accomplices, intercepted Kaur and abducted her at gunpoint. They added to the allegations, saying that Sukhwinder travelled to Punjab from Canada via Nepal specifically to execute the crime. He reached Nepal on April 29 and entered Punjab on May 2 after hiring two taxis from Moga. 

Police believe Singh flew back to Canada through Nepal after killing Kaur near the canal. 

Probe intensifies

The police discovered Kaur’s body on Tuesday following a tip-off. Her family members confirmed her identity and her body was sent to the Ludhiana Civil Hospital for post-mortem. Her car was also recovered from the canal in which she was found dead. 

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Inderjit Singh Boparai said that Kaur’s body was decomposed and the autopsy report is awaited to determine the cause behind her death. The investigating cops suspect she may have been attacked with a sharp-edged weapon.

The police have already arrested Pritam Singh and Karamjit Singh, and said they are persevering in efforts to trace the key accused, Sukhwinder.