The murder of Punjab-based social media influencer Kanchan Kumari, also known as Kamal Kaur 'Bhabhi,' has taken a dramatic turn with the prime suspect, Amritpal Singh Mehron, fleeing to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hours after the crime. The Punjab Police have issued a lookout circular and are working to secure his deportation to face justice.

Kanchan Kumari, a popular figure on Instagram with 384,000 followers and on YouTube with 236,000 subscribers to her "Funny Bhabhi TV" channel, was found dead on June 9th in an abandoned car in a parking lot in Bathinda. Investigations revealed that she had been strangled.

Amritpal Singh Mehron, identified as the mastermind behind the murder, is described as a self-styled Sikh radical leader. He is also accused of issuing threats to at least two other female social media influencers in Punjab. Police have blocked several of his social media accounts, including those belonging to the group he heads called 'Qaum De Rakhe' for allegedly posting racist content and death threats.

According to Bhatinda Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amneet Kondal, different police teams were conducting raids to apprehend Amritpal. On Saturday, June 14th, a lookout circular was issued. Upon obtaining his passport details and checking travel records, it was discovered that he had fled to the UAE on a flight from Amritsar in the evening, just hours after the murder in Bathinda. The SSP stated that the authorities in the UAE have been informed that Mehron is wanted in a murder case, and they will follow the due procedure for his deportation.

So far, two individuals, Jaspreet Singh and Nimratjit Singh, have been arrested in connection with the murder. Further investigation and questioning of these accused revealed the involvement of two more individuals, associates of Mehron, one of whom has been identified as Ranjit Singh. Efforts are underway to apprehend them as well.

Mehron, who contested the 2022 Punjab Assembly election from the Tarn Taran seat on a Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) ticket, has a history of online vigilantism. He has been known to issue threats to artists and social media influencers who he believes are promoting vulgarity or superstition.

The murder and subsequent threats have sent shockwaves through the social media community in Punjab. Influencers Simarpreet Kaur, also known as 'Preet Jatti,' and Deepika Luthra have reported receiving death threats. Simarpreet Kaur revealed that she had been warned against posting any content and has appealed for police protection. Deepika Luthra stated that even after deleting her earlier posts and publicly apologizing, she continues to feel endangered.

Disturbingly, some individuals have posted videos justifying Kanchan Kumari's murder, claiming it serves as a "warning" to those considered "immoral elements."

The police investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to gather more evidence and uncover the full extent of the conspiracy. The focus remains on bringing Amritpal Singh Mehron back to India to face justice for the murder of Kanchan Kumari and addressing the broader issue of threats against social media influencers in the region.