Singer Murdered by Canada-Based Boyfriend; Dowry Deaths Still on Rise

May

2026

Panjabi singer Yashinder Kaur alias Inder from Ludhiana, was allegedly abducted and murdered by her Canada-based boyfriend and his associates, who later dumped her body in a canal. Yashinder’s decomposed body was recovered from the Neelon canal six days after she went missing on 13 May. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana, Inderjit Singh Boparai, the prime accused identified as Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha, a native of Moga district came from Canada to execute the crime. Boparai said, ‘He (Sukhwinder) first landed in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 30 Apr and then further travelled to India. After executing the murder, he fled back to Canada.’ The Ludhiana police have arrested two people in connection with the crime: Sukhwinder’s father Pritam Singh and an accomplice, identified as Karamjit Singh of Bhaloor village, Moga district. Sukhwinder allegedly abducted 29-year-old Yashinder at gunpoint and then killed her. Sukhwinder and Karamjit then allegedly dumped her body in the Neelon canal. Sukhwinder and Yashinder were in a relationship for five years, which started on Instagram. The couple had even agreed to marry with their respective families having met. However, no one from Sukhwinder’s side revealed to Yashinder or her family that Sukhwinder was already married with children. When Yashinder pressured him to marry her, Sukhwinder decided to kill her. The All Indian Cine Workers Association has demanded a high-level probe and strict action for her death. Meanwhile, dowry-related incidents from different parts of India have once again drawn attention to the continuing crisis of violence against women. According to the Crime in India 2024 report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recorded 5,737 dowry deaths in 2024, meaning an average of 15 to 16 persons lose their lives daily due to dowry-related violence, harassment, or forced suicide. 39 such deaths were recorded in Panjab. NCRB data showed a nearly 6.7% increase in dowry-related suicide cases—rising from 1,587 in 2023 to 1,693 cases in 2024. Concurrently, a Ludhiana-based lawyer, Shivani Wadhwa, aspiring to become a judicial officer, died after a speeding car allegedly hit her scooter on 21 May. Shivani was the only earning member of the family. Ludhiana District Bar Association announced a ‘No Work Day’ as a token of respect to the deceased (earlier coverage).