By Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: The brutal murder of social media influencer Kamal Kaur Bhabhi, also known as Kanchan Kumari, in Bathinda has sent shockwaves across Punjab, raising serious concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The crime has been linked to a criminal gang led by Amritpal Singh Mehron, who is reportedly behind a spate of threats targeting other influencers.
While Punjab Police have arrested two accomplices of the main accused, Amritpal Mehron remains absconding. He is believed to be issuing death threats to influencers from an undisclosed location, continuing his campaign of vigilante-style “moral policing.” Police have so far failed to trace his whereabouts.
Kamal Kaur was allegedly lured to Bathinda under the pretext of attending a promotional event. Her body was discovered three days later in a parked car at the Adarsh University parking lot. The arrested accused, Jaspreet Singh from Mehron village in Moga and Nimratjit Singh from Tarn Taran, were identified through CCTV footage entering the lot with the vehicle.
Disturbingly, investigators suspect that the influencer was raped before being strangled to death. During interrogation, the accused claimed Kamal Kaur was using the surname “Kaur” to allegedly defame the Sikh community and had ignored previous warnings to stop sharing content they deemed offensive or suggestive.
In a chilling continuation of these vigilante threats, Mehron has now reportedly targeted 5–6 more influencers. Among those threatened are Simranpreet Kaur and Deepika Luthra, both from Amritsar. Simranpreet said she apologized for her past content but is still receiving death threats. She expressed distress, citing concern for her five-month-old child. Luthra, meanwhile, claimed she is no longer active on social media and fake accounts are misusing her name. Mehron allegedly told her ominously, “There are many more parking lots in Punjab, ” giving her two days to comply with his demands.
Three male influencers known as the “Pendu Jatt Records” were also allegedly threatened and coerced into submitting written apologies. They told media they depend on social media for their livelihood and were frightened into submission.
The situation has sparked outrage within the Sikh community. Nihang leader Harjit Singh Rassolpur condemned the actions of Mehron and his gang, urging Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Police to take strict action against those tarnishing the image of Nihangs and the Sikh faith. He also offered support to threatened influencers, asking them to reach out if they felt unsafe.
Sikh preacher Buta Singh went further, alleging that Kamal Kaur was raped before being murdered. He called the crime a “shameful act” that dishonors the Sikh community and demanded immediate justice.
The brazen nature of the crime and the police’s inability to nab the main accused have intensified public anger. As gang-related crimes, road robberies, and street violence rise across Punjab, this case is now seen as a grim reminder of the growing impunity with which criminal elements operate in the state.
Raja Raj Singh another Nihang leader said that failure of law and order in Punjab is reason for the murder of influencer. He said that government has goven free hand to social media influencers to post vulger content. He said that they would support Mehron in legal battle in murder case.