Woman Survives Brutal Murder Attempt in Punjab Canal Incident
In a shocking case from Punjab, a woman miraculously survived a murder attempt after being strangled and thrown into the Bhakra canal near Sirhind on the night of April 7. Astonishingly, her husband proceeded to marry another woman the very next morning, as confirmed by police on Saturday.
Swift Police Action Leads to Arrest
The accused, identified as Balwinder Singh, a 31-year-old resident of Dargheri village, was arrested by Fatehgarh Sahib police on Thursday. This arrest came barely 48 hours after the horrific crime was committed, showcasing rapid law enforcement response.
Following the attack, the victim floated approximately 4 kilometers downstream in the canal before being rescued by compassionate residents of Sonda village in Fatehgarh Sahib. She was immediately rushed to the civil hospital in Fatehgarh Sahib, where medical professionals worked diligently to stabilise her condition.
Details of the Crime Emerge
According to ASI Jasmel Singh, the investigating officer from Sirhind police station, the accused lured the victim under false pretenses. Balwinder Singh informed her that he had purchased a second-hand car and drove her to a gurdwara in Fatehgarh Sahib on Tuesday. During the journey, he deceitfully asked her to accompany him for a ritual by the Bhakra canal.
Exploiting the cover of darkness and the isolated location, the accused violently strangulated the woman before callously throwing her into the canal, presuming she was dead. Police reports indicate that Balwinder Singh then solemnised his marriage to another woman on Wednesday morning, with the bride remaining completely unaware of the tragic events that had unfolded just hours earlier.
Background of the Relationship
Investigations reveal that the victim and the accused had been in a live-in relationship since 2019. In April 2024, the victim had filed a rape complaint against Balwinder Singh, alleging that he had refused to marry her. Facing legal pressure from this police case, he eventually married the woman in 2025, only to be later acquitted in the case, as detailed by the ASI.
Legal Proceedings and Current Status
Police acted promptly on the victim's detailed account provided from her hospital bed, successfully tracing and arresting Balwinder Singh on April 9. A formal case of attempted murder has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Sirhind police station.
The accused is currently in judicial custody, having spent one day in police remand. Authorities have confiscated the car used in the crime, which belongs to a relative of the accused. Notably, Balwinder Singh's second wife has not filed any complaint regarding the situation.
The victim remains hospitalised, with her condition described as stable. However, she is experiencing significant speech difficulties due to injuries sustained during the strangulation attempt, highlighting the severe physical and emotional trauma endured.
