Punjab couple’s bedside deaths linked to illicit affair and blackmail

A 50-year-old man and his 45-year-old wife were found dead on a bed in their house in Mehta village near Tapa on Thursday morning. The incident is linked to an alleged illicit relationship and blackmail. A handwritten note and similar wording on a wall were recovered from the room, and a video posted by the deceased man before his death surfaced on social media.

The deceased were identified as Nirmal Singh (50), a carpenter, and his wife Ramandeep Kaur (45). Police registered a case against four members of a family living near the deceased’s house after the man, in his note and video, accused them of harassment and blackmail. Nirmal’s brother also lodged a complaint with the police.

According to police, the deaths appear connected to an alleged illicit relationship between Ramandeep Kaur and a neighbour. Sources said Nirmal Singh had learned about the affair some time ago and, disturbed by the matter and worried about his 15-year-old son’s future, had spoken to the neighbour to end it. However, the accused allegedly continued to blackmail the family using photos and videos of Ramandeep Kaur.

Before taking the extreme step, Nirmal Singh recorded a video message naming the accused and demanding capital punishment for them. He also wrote their names on the wall inside the room. Police said the man appeared to have died by suicide, while the cause of the woman’s death would be confirmed after the postmortem examination.

Sub Inspector Shareef Khan, SHO of the Tapa police station, said, “A case against four persons of a family from Mehta village has been registered, and efforts are afoot to arrest them. The postmortem report will clarify whether the woman also died by suicide.” A forensic team visited the spot and lifted samples for examination.