In a shocking and gruesome incident from Bathinda district in Punjab, a 35‑year‑old man allegedly murdered his female friend and, in an unsettling twist, got a tattoo of her face and a photo of them together inked on his chest after the killing. The case has been described by investigators as a “crime of passion,” leaving local residents stunned by the brutality and bizarre behaviour of the accused.
How the Crime Unfolded
Police arrested Prince Kumar, an unemployed man from the Surkhpeer area of Bathinda, in connection with the murder of the woman identified as Sapna alias Malika, originally from Baghapurana in Moga district. The victim was staying in Bathinda and was last seen alive on February 7 with Prince, according to CCTV footage reviewed by investigators.
Punjab Police believe the suspect stabbed the woman to death inside his home in the early hours of February 9. After the killing, he kept her body at his residence for two days before attempting to conceal the crime.
Attempt to Destroy Evidence
Following the murder, the accused reportedly attempted to burn the body to destroy evidence but stopped when the smell alerted neighbours. According to officials, he then stuffed the partially burnt corpse into a suitcase, transported it in his car, and dumped it near Behman Diwana village on the Bathinda–Fazilka national highway on the intervening night of February 10–11. Police recovered the suitcase, the knife believed to have been used in the killing, and the vehicle.
Tattoo and Psychological Motive
A particularly disturbing element of the case is that after murdering the woman, Prince got a tattoo on his chest featuring an image of himself with the victim. Investigators noted this act as part of the unusual behaviour exhibited by the accused, though the exact motive for this remains under further examination.
Police described the incident as a crime of passion, with ongoing investigations attempting to ascertain what triggered the fatal confrontation between the victim and the accused. Officials also noted that Prince was struggling with substance abuse and had no prior criminal record.
Investigation and Police Action
The breakthrough in the probe came through analysis of CCTV footage and examination of the victim’s mobile phone records, which helped police narrow down suspicious persons before identifying the accused. Authorities stated that nobody else was involved, and Prince acted alone in the killing.
Bathinda senior superintendent of police Jyoti Yadav confirmed that the body had multiple stab wounds and reiterated that the exact reason for the murder will be clarified as the probe progresses. The victim’s family has not yet come forward to claim her body.