Photo Credit: The Indian Express
In a chilling turn of events that has sent shockwaves across Punjab and India’s influencer community, social media personality Kamal Kaur Bhabhi – real name Kanchan Kumari, was found dead inside a locked car near Adesh Medical University in Bathinda on Wednesday. Her body, reportedly discovered after locals complained of a foul odor, had been lying inside the vehicle for at least 48 hours, according to preliminary forensic assessments.
The 30-year-old influencer had been missing since June 9. What initially seemed like a disappearance has now evolved into a suspected murder case, prompting outrage and renewed scrutiny of gangster threats faced by digital creators in India. Police sources confirmed that an FIR has been registered and that the case is being treated as a possible homicide. The car, which had tinted windows, was parked in a secluded spot near the medical university campus, raising concerns about how long it remained unnoticed.
What makes this incident particularly harrowing is the resurfacing of an audio clip from seven months ago, in which notorious Canada-based gangster Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla allegedly issued death threats to Kamal Kaur. In the voice note, he accused her of “spoiling Punjab’s youth” and warned her family would be killed if she continued creating such content. The threatening tone of the message, and its clear targeting of her influencer persona, now appears to be a dark precursor to her untimely death.
Kamal Kaur had risen to social media fame with her bold, unapologetic reels that mixed humor, Punjabi culture, and commentary on social issues. Her Instagram account had more than 3.8 lakh followers and was growing rapidly, especially among the youth of Punjab and the diaspora abroad. While her content often drew praise for its relatability and desi flair, it also ruffled feathers – both among conservative audiences and alleged criminal elements.
The gangster angle has given the case a national dimension. Arsh Dalla, linked to banned terrorist organizations and multiple murders, has increasingly been using social media to issue threats to public figures in India. Punjab Police are now working with central intelligence agencies to probe whether this was a direct contract killing or whether others in his network orchestrated the act.
This is not the first time that an Indian influencer has faced violent threats from gangsters. Earlier this year, YouTuber Armaan Malik filed for an arms license after claiming he was being stalked and harassed by unidentified individuals in Delhi. Similarly, actors and musicians in Punjab and Haryana have received death threats from Lawrence Bishnoi and Bambiha gangs, with police often playing catch-up after threats become public. In one incident, a child influencer’s family was threatened, further exposing the vulnerability of digital creators.
The murder has sparked public outrage, with calls for greater protection for influencers who, despite having massive followings, are largely left to fend for their own safety. Activists and digital rights organizations are demanding that governments treat threats to online creators with the same urgency as threats to journalists and public officials. Influencers today command large audiences and shape public opinion – but with visibility comes vulnerability.
Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier advised the state government to create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to pre-emptively protect artists and influencers from organized criminal threats. That suggestion now appears more urgent than ever.
As Kamal’s family prepares for her final rites and the influencer community mourns the loss of one of its rising voices, the questions remain: Who killed Kamal Kaur? Was it a gang hit or a targeted vendetta? And what steps will law enforcement take now to ensure no more lives are lost at the intersection of digital fame and offline danger?
The tragedy of Kamal Kaur’s death may mark a turning point in how India handles the growing threats faced by public figures on social media. But for now, a bold, young woman who once made people laugh online has been silenced forever – and her followers are left with heartbreak, fear, and the hope for justice.
