Murder suspected after influencer Kamal Kaur found dead in car; Gangster Arsh Dalla threats under scanner

The discovery was made after locals complained of a foul odour coming from the vehicle

Last updated:
Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor
2 MIN READ
Kamal Kaur, was it a murder by a gangster?
Kamal Kaur, was it a murder by a gangster?

Dubai: The body of Punjabi social media influencer Kamal Kaur was discovered inside a parked car near Adesh Medical University in Punjab on Wednesday night, prompting Punjab Police to register a case of suspected murder.

The discovery was made after locals complained of a foul odour coming from the vehicle.

Kaur, whose real name was Kanchan Kumari, was a Ludhiana-based content creator with over 3.84 lakh Instagram followers. Known for her comedic reels—often laced with bold and controversial language—Kaur had previously received threats for her content.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, she had been threatened last year by Canada-based Khalistani gangster Arsh Dalla, who accused her of spreading “filth” online.

In an October 2024 audio recording reported by News18 Punjab, Dalla could be heard warning Kaur to remove her videos and threatening harm to her family if she did not comply.

While police have not officially named any suspects, Kaur’s prior conflict with Dalla is now part of the ongoing investigation. Her body was reportedly dumped in a car registered in Ludhiana after being killed elsewhere.

Bathinda SSP Amneet Kondal told The Times of India, “Prima facie there seems something fishy and FIR under murder charges is being registered.” A forensic team has been dispatched to examine the scene and vehicle.

A growing pattern?

Kaur’s death adds to a disturbing global trend involving influencers who face real-world threats, violence, or even death as a result of their public personas.

  • In Mexico, 23-year-old influencer Valeria Márquez was gunned down while livestreaming in her salon. The case is being investigated as femicide, possibly tied to cartel networks.

  • In Iraq, TikTok creator Um Fahad was killed in Baghdad in April 2024, one of several such cases amid crackdowns and societal tensions.

  • In Spain, a British influencer fell to her death during a dangerous photo shoot, exemplifying how the quest for viral content can turn deadly.

These incidents underscore the growing risks faced by influencers—particularly women—who may be seen as provocative or transgressive in conservative or volatile environments. Public visibility, polarising content, and lack of institutional protection contribute to this rising danger.

Manjusha Radhakrishnan
Manjusha RadhakrishnanEntertainment Editor
Manjusha Radhakrishnan has been slaying entertainment news and celebrity interviews in Dubai for 18 years—and she’s just getting started. As Entertainment Editor, she covers Bollywood movie reviews, Hollywood scoops, Pakistani dramas, and world cinema. Red carpets? She’s walked them all—Europe, North America, Macau—covering IIFA (Bollywood Oscars) and Zee Cine Awards like a pro. She’s been on CNN with Becky Anderson dropping Bollywood truth bombs like Salman Khan Black Buck hunting conviction and hosted panels with directors like Bollywood’s Kabir Khan and Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. She has also covered film festivals around the globe. Oh, and did we mention she landed the cover of Xpedition Magazine as one of the UAE’s 50 most influential icons? She was also the resident Bollywood guru on Dubai TV’s Insider Arabia and Saudi TV, where she dishes out the latest scoop and celebrity news. Her interview roster reads like a dream guest list—Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Shah Rukh Khan, Robbie Williams, Sean Penn, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Morgan Freeman. From breaking celeb news to making stars spill secrets, Manjusha doesn’t just cover entertainment—she owns it while looking like a star herself.
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