Punjabi singer Yashinder Kaur, also known as Inder Kaur, was found dead in a canal near Ludhiana on Tuesday, six days after she was allegedly abducted at gunpoint, in a case now drawing attention because of the accused suspect’s Canada connection.
Police have identified the prime suspect as Sukhwinder Singh, alias Sukha, originally from Mahlan Khurd village in Punjab’s Moga district. Investigators say he had been living in Canada and allegedly travelled to India through Nepal before the killing. Police allege he fled back through Kathmandu after the murder.
Yashinder, 29, lived in the Mundian Kalan area of Ludhiana. Her decomposed body was recovered from the Neelon canal. Police also found her Ford Figo car nearby. Investigators said blood stains were found inside the vehicle, suggesting she was attacked before her body was dumped in the canal.
According to Ludhiana police, Sukhwinder’s flight from Canada to Kathmandu was booked for April 29. Police say he landed in Kathmandu on April 30, entered India on May 2, and allegedly carried out the murder on May 13 before returning to Kathmandu the same night.
Police are now treating the case as a planned killing. Investigators believe Sukhwinder came to India specifically to target Yashinder after she ended their relationship.
Yashinder’s brother Gurinderpal Singh has claimed Sukhwinder lived in Calgary and ran a construction business. He has urged Indian authorities to seek the suspect’s return from Canada so he faces trial in India.
Police said Yashinder and Sukhwinder first connected through Instagram while she was trying to build her career in the Punjabi music industry. The two later entered a relationship.
Investigators said Yashinder ended the relationship after learning Sukhwinder was already married and had two children. Police allege he refused to accept the breakup and began threatening her.
The case came to light after Yashinder’s younger brother, Jotinder Singh, filed an abduction complaint on May 14. He told police his sister left home around 8:30 p.m. on May 13 to buy groceries and did not return. The family named Sukhwinder in the complaint and alleged he had threatened her earlier because she refused to marry him.
Police have arrested Sukhwinder’s father, Pritam Singh, and alleged accomplice Karamjit Singh of Bhaloor village in Moga. Investigators initially registered kidnapping and Arms Act charges. Murder charges were added after Yashinder’s body was recovered.
Police said the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the autopsy report.
The case has raised serious questions about cross-border accountability, as the main suspect is believed to have returned to Canada. Yashinder’s family is now demanding swift action from authorities in India and Canada to ensure the accused is brought back to face the legal process.
