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Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Mehron's provisional arrest in UAE likely soon, say police officials
Religious vigilante Amritpal Singh Mehron, wanted in the murder of digital content creator Kanchan Kumari in Bathinda and currently hiding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is likely to be subjected to a provisional arrest soon with the assistance of Interpol, police officials have said. Amritpal Singh Mehron has been hiding in the UAE since he allegedly murdered a social media influencer, Kanchan Kumari Official sources said Interpol, an international organisation which facilitates police cooperation among its 196 member countries, is inching towards executing the state police's request to detain Mehron in the Gulf country. Responding to queries of HT, the Interpol press office stated early this month that it could not share any input on its investigation as only the member country concerned could make any comment. Meanwhile, the sources, wishing not to be named, confirmed that the Bureau of Investigation (BoI) is working closely with the home ministry to extradite Mehron from the UAE. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Amneet Kondal said on Sunday that the district police had filed a pro forma for a 'blue notice' on June 20 to track and extradite Mehron back to Punjab to face a trial in the murder of Kanchan. 'We are working on his extradition and sending the required information and details sought by the Interpol. But details cannot be made public at this stage,' she added. The SSP clarified that they have not been updated yet whether Interpol has issued a notice against Mehron. Officials said the location of Mehron in the UAE is still unclear and Interpol has a crucial role in tracing and putting him under detention. 'Extradition is a complex legal exercise and the state and central authorities are engaged in executing the detention of Mehron on foreign soil,' said the senior police official. As per the police, Kanchan Kumari, alias Kamal Kaur Bhabhi, of Ludhiana was strangulated by Mehron and his two Nihang accomplices, stating that the murder was motivated by Kanchan's controversial social media posts, which allegedly offended the Sikh community. The murder took place on the night of June 9-10 when Mehron, along with Jaspreet Singh and Nimratjit Singh, allegedly strangled Kanchan in her car. They later dumped her body in the parking lot of Adesh Medical College and Hospital in Bhucho, Bathinda. The victim's body was discovered on the evening of June 11, and the police termed the crime as unauthorised moral policing. Mehron fled to Amritsar shortly after the murder, boarding an international flight to the UAE on the morning of June 10. Jaspreet and Nimratjit are in judicial custody, whereas the three accused, including Mehron, are still at large. SSP Kondal said that immediately after the murder, Mehron was taken from Bathinda to the international airport in Amritsar by Ranjit Singh of Taran Tarn and an unidentified person. 'Our teams will resume raids to nab Ranjit and identify another accused. A lookout circular (LoC) has already been issued against Ranjit to ensure he does not flee the country,' said the SSP.
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Punjab influencer's murder: Two weeks on, whereabouts of 2 accused still unknown
(Blurb) Awaiting Interpol's notice for key accused Mehron's arrest and deportation from UAE: Bathinda SSP Key accused Amritpal Singh Mehron is said to have fled to UAE on June 10 Two weeks after the decomposed body of Ludhiana-based woman social media influencer Kanchan Kumari, alias Kamal Kaur Bhabhi, was found in Bathinda, the whereabouts of the two accused related to the case are still not known to the police. Investigators said on Wednesday that the main accused and conspirator of the alleged targeted killing, Amritpal Singh Mehron, a religious vigilante, fled the country on June 10 without wearing his Nihang attire. The Bathinda police have named five persons in the killing and assisting Mehron in fleeing the country after the crime. Investigators said that of the five accused, four were Nihangs but the identity of the fifth accused is still a mystery. The police have arrested Mehron's aides Jaspreet Singh and Nimratjit Singh, both Nihangs, while Mehron remains in hiding in the UAE. Another accused, Ranjit Singh, also a Nihang, from Tarn Taran, is also absconding, while the police is still clueless about his accomplice. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Amneet Kondal said a probe confirmed that Mehron was not accompanied by Ranjit when the former flew out of the country. 'Travel data says that Mehron had a travel visa for the UAE and he boarded the flight from Amritsar, where he was not wearing his traditional Nihang attire. A look-out circular (LoC) was issued against Ranjit and there is no input indicating that he has left India. Our teams are raiding different places to nab Ranjit,' she said. The SSP said Jaspreet and Nimratjit did not divulge anything about the fifth accomplice. 'Ranjit and the unidentified person reached Bathinda to pick up Mehron and drop him at the Amritsar airport to board the flight at 9.15 am on June 10. Ranjit's arrest would lead us to know the fifth accused and coordinated efforts are being made to arrest them,' added the SSP. Kondal said the district police initiated efforts to extradite Mehron from the UAE on June 20 when a letter was sent to the Bureau of Investigation (BoI) of Punjab Police (HT was the first to report).'The communication was part of the protocol to reach out to Interpol for Mehron's extradition. We have yet to get confirmation if the Interpol has published a notice to locate and detain the accused for deportation to face trial in the murder case,' added the SSP. Kanchan's murder took place on the night of June 9-10 when Mehron, along with associates Jaspreet and Nimratjit, allegedly strangled Kanchan in her car. They later dumped her decomposing body in the parking lot of Adesh Medical College and Hospital in Bhucho, Bathinda. The body was recovered on June 11 evening. Police say the murder was motivated by Kanchan's controversial social media posts, which allegedly offended the Sikh community.
Hindustan Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: 60 firms under lens for ₹950-crore GST scam, police investigation on
The Mandi Gobindgarh police in Fatehgarh Sahib have been investigating a multi-crore GST scam, allegedly involving over 60 fictitious companies. The FIR was registered recently on the complaint of a Ludhiana-based businessman, who said that he has now submitted more proof of 'fake' transactions and copies of 70 cheques in the ' ₹ 950-crore scam'. In his complaint to the DGP, Bureau of Investigation and senior Fatehgarh Sahib police authorities, Kashmir Giri of Khanna has sought a thorough and impartial investigation. The Mandi Gobindgarh police had registered an FIR on June 11. Claiming that more than 60 firms were involved in the scam, he alleged collusion between private individuals and government officials. After the registration of the FIR on June 11, the police had formed a special investigation team (SIT). According to Giri, the FIR concerns forged sale and lease deeds executed using the names of his sons through fake firms. He alleged that the key conspirators created shell companies using fake IDs, dummy directors and even forged rent agreements and lease deeds — all without his family's knowledge. He said officials must inquire the origin of the funds used to buy high-value stamp papers and also the role of sub-registrars and others who facilitated such transactions. 'A sale deed dated August 11, 2022, shows a transaction worth over ₹ 1.97 crore and claimed to have been paid through cheques. But such cheques were never issued or encashed. The beneficiary firm is non-functional. A CGST inspection report dated September 30, 2024, verified this, but no further action was taken by authorities,' he mentioned. He further alleged that officials from several private banks helped open accounts for such bogus firms without proper verification. The complaint referenced a high court order dated April 23, directing the Punjab DGP to act on Giri's earlier representation. Besides seeking a thorough probe, he has sought safety of his family. The Mandi Gobindgarh police has slapped Sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC. One of the SIT members, seeking anonymity, said an investigation was being conducted. 'Huge suspicious transactions were found during the investigation,' he added.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Influencer's murder: Bathinda police set ball rolling to extradite Mehron from UAE
The Bathinda police submitted a detailed report to the Bureau of Investigation (BoI) of Punjab Police on Friday evening, requesting the extradition of religious vigilante Amritpal Singh Mehron from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Mehron, the head of the radical outfit 'Quam de Rakhe', is the main conspirator and prime accused in the murder of social media influencer Kanchan Kumari, also known as Kamal Kaur Bhabhi. (File) Mehron, the head of the radical outfit 'Quam de Rakhe', is the main conspirator and prime accused in the murder of social media influencer Kanchan Kumari, also known as Kamal Kaur Bhabhi. To strengthen their case for his deportation, the police obtained an arrest warrant for Mehron from a local court on June 17, after he had reportedly taken responsibility for Kanchan's murder via social media posts. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Amneet Kondal confirmed that the communication sent to BoI includes detailed information about the murder and Mehron's role in the crime. 'This letter will assist in the initiation of the extradition process. With the help of Interpol, Mehron can be detained abroad,' said SSP Kondal, although she declined to elaborate on the specifics of the letter. The murder took place on the night of June 9-10, when Mehron, along with associates Jaspreet Singh and Nimratjit Singh, allegedly strangled Kanchan in her car. They later dumped her decomposing body in the parking lot of Adesh Medical College and Hospital in Bhucho, Bathinda. Police say the murder was motivated by Kanchan's controversial social media posts, which allegedly offended the Sikh community. The victim's body was discovered on the evening of June 11, and police termed the crime as unauthorised moral policing. According to officials privy of the matter, Mehron fled to Amritsar shortly after the murder, boarding an international flight to the UAE on the morning of June 10. While the location of Mehron in the UAE is still unclear, officials confirmed that at least four social media platforms associated with him have been suspended in India due to the dissemination of videos and audio that contained death threats and racist comments directed at digital content creators. The case has stirred controversy, with several religious leaders and social media influencers from Punjab and Haryana voicing their support for Mehron. Despite this, no police action has been taken against those justifying the murder. The SSP further stated that there is no new evidence suggesting that Mehron is still active on social media. The police investigation has linked five individuals to the crime. So far, Jaspreet Singh and Nimratjit Singh have been arrested, while Mehron remains in hiding in the UAE. Another suspect, Ranjit Singh from Tarn Taran, is also absconding. 'Our teams are continuing raids at various locations to apprehend Ranjit. The fifth suspect, who assisted Ranjit in helping Mehron reach Amritsar, is yet to be identified,' said SSP Kondal. A lookout circular (LOC) has already been issued against Ranjit Singh.
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana influencer's murder: Two accused sent to 14-day judicial remand
A district court on Wednesday sent two accused, Jaspreet Singh and Nimratjit Singh, nominated in the murder of social media influencer Kanchan Kumari alias Kamal Kaur Bhabhi, to 14-day judicial remand. The accused, Nihangs, were produced in the court amid tight security. The two associates of the alleged mastermind in the crime, Amritpal Singh Mehron, were arrested by the Bathinda police on June 13. A local court granted their police custody for five days for questioning. Police said that Kanchan was killed by the three due to 'unauthorised moral policing' as the accused claimed that digital content created by the deceased was immoral and hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community. Bathinda senior superintendent of police (SSP) Amneet Kondal said on Wednesday that the district police would soon submit a report to the Bureau of Investigation (BoI) to process it further to Mehron's extradition from the UAE to face trial in the murder case. 'It is a complicated process, and we are still in the process of completing the required documents,' she said. The SSP said that two mobile phones of the deceased, including an iPhone, and the passwords of the handsets were forcibly taken away from Kanchan before she was strangled. 'During the custodial interrogation, Jaspreet and Nimratjit feigned ignorance and we suspect that the two phones of the deceased are still in Mehron's possession,' she added. Meanwhile, Bathinda-based lawyer Harpal Singh Khara, who is representing the arrested duo in the court, told reporters that video showing Mehron claiming responsibility for the murder could have been generated using artificial intelligence (AI). 'We suspect a conspiracy by agencies behind it. Mehron's family has approached me to represent him in the court,' said Khara, who was accompanied by Mehron's father Baljinder Singh. Mehron, also a Nihang, flew to the UAE within hours of the murder of Kanchan on the intervening night of June 9-10. As per the Bathinda police, Mehron boarded a UAE-bound flight from Amritsar airport at 9.15 am on June 10. The police learnt about the escape of Mehron after a lookout circular (LOC) was issued against him on June 14. Kanchan's decomposed body was found by the police on the evening of June 11 after a few people spotted a foul was emanating from the vehicle abandoned at the parking of Adesh medical college and hospital at Bhucho town.
