Mohali: A Mohali district court has sentenced former police officer Rashpal Singh to life imprisonment for the murder of 23-year-old staff nurse Naseeb Kaur, marking the end of a chilling case that shocked the region three years ago.
The court found Singh guilty of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and imposed a Rs 40,000 fine. Additionally, he received a three-year rigorous prison term and a Rs 10,000 penalty under Section 201 for tampering with evidence. Singh was taken into custody immediately after the verdict.
Crime of Passion
The incident dates back to November 13, 2022, when the body of Naseeb Kaur was discovered near a pond in Sohana village, Mohali. Initial circumstances around her death raised suspicions, but it wasn’t until 11 days later that police arrested Rashpal Singh from Sector 67.
Investigators revealed that Singh and Kaur had been in a live-in relationship. On the night of the murder, the two had reportedly been drinking together. According to Singh’s confession, a heated argument broke out when Naseeb allegedly insisted on marriage. In a fit of rage, Singh strangled her to death after she lost consciousness due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Body Transported on Scooty, Caught on CCTV
Singh attempted to conceal the crime by transporting her body on a two-wheeler and abandoning it near a waterbody. Surveillance cameras captured him during this act, which later played a critical role in confirming his involvement.
Phone Data and Chats Exposed the Truth
Further forensic investigation of Naseeb’s phone uncovered chats and call records that validated the nature of their relationship and the events leading up to the murder. The post-mortem confirmed that she died due to manual strangulation, with neck bone fractures noted in the report.
A Troubled Background
Rashpal Singh’s record revealed a troubling pattern. Previously dismissed from service, he had been involved in an attempted robbery at the home of a senior company executive in Sector 71 in December 2020. During his time in law enforcement, he was once promoted to ASI for his role in an encounter but was later terminated due to criminal misconduct.
Victim Had Recently Moved to Mohali
Naseeb Kaur, originally from Abohar, had relocated to Mohali just two weeks before her death. She was employed as a nurse at a private hospital in Panchkula and had been living in a rented room in Sohana.
The case drew significant attention due to the disturbing details of the murder and the accused’s past as a law enforcement officer. With the verdict delivered, the court has sent a strong message about accountability—even for those once tasked with upholding the law.