Man Dies in May, Punjab Police 'Records' His Statement in Sept: HC Seeks Answers

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought an explanation from Punjab Police after being told that investigators relied on the statement of a man allegedly recorded in September 2025, despite records showing he had died in May 2025. The court described the situation as difficult to explain and directed the state’s Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) to submit a report through an affidavit.

The direction was issued by Justice Sumeet Goel while hearing the anticipatory bail plea of 31-year-old Manvir Singh in a murder case linked to Ludhiana. Manvir was named in an FIR registered on August 18, 2025, at the Dehlon police station under the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate. The matter has now raised serious questions about the conduct of the investigation.

According to submissions made before the court, the case began as a missing person complaint filed by co-accused Sukhjit Singh regarding the disappearance of 72-year-old Rupinder Kaur. It was alleged that she had gone to Delhi airport to travel abroad but never returned. Initially, police registered a missing report before later converting the case into one involving murder and destruction of evidence.

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Investigators subsequently claimed to have received secret information indicating that Sukhjit Singh had killed Rupinder Kaur and attempted to conceal the crime. He was arrested, and during questioning allegedly implicated another person, Charanjit Singh. Manvir Singh was later linked to the case based on later statements and alleged financial transactions, according to the defence.

Counsel for the petitioner argued that one of the prosecution witness statements was shown as recorded on September 19, 2025, even though the witness had died on May 29, 2025. The defence alleged that this pointed to fabrication of evidence by the investigating agency. The High Court took note of the claim and ordered a formal response from senior police authorities.

The court has fixed the next hearing for May 18 and directed the concerned station house officer to remain present. It also kept open the possibility of transferring further investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The case is likely to draw close scrutiny as the court examines the authenticity of records used during the probe.

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