In a shocking incident during the early morning hours of April 6, Anas Qureshi, a 29-year-old man, was reported to have fatally attacked his 27-year-old female friend, known as Ekta. This brutal act took place in the Sunny Enclave locality of Kharar, within the SAS Nagar district of Punjab. According to police reports, Qureshi forcefully entered Ekta's residence during the late hours between April 5 and April 6.

Ekta was living with her family, who, on the fateful night, were out attending a religious function known as a Jagran. She returned home from her workplace late at night, unaware of the tragedy that would soon unfold. It was during this time that Anas Qureshi made his way into her home. Surveillance footage later revealed Qureshi leaving the premises in a change of clothes, signifying the dreadful act had been committed.

The subsequent events led to Qureshi hastily fleeing the scene in Ekta's car, only to meet with a grievous accident approximately 80 kilometers away near Shahbad, Haryana.

The origins of Anas Qureshi trace back to Uttar Pradesh, shedding light on his background. Following the accident, he was urgently taken to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) located in Sector 32, Chandigarh, where he was listed in a critical condition. Further inquiries revealed that Qureshi resided in a rental unit in Sector 38 of Chandigarh, where he also ran an eating establishment situated in the same sector.

Ekta, tragically lost to a violent crime, was the daughter of the late Surinder Kumar Sunny. She lived at 2485-B in Ekta Colony, Anklave, alongside her mother Paramjeet, younger brother Rohit, and sister-in-law. The family had experienced loss before, with the death of Ekta's father in 2020. Ekta's elder brother, Sukhchain Singh, resides in the Manimajra region of Chandigarh with his own family. He recounted that there was a religious gathering, a Jagran, at their younger brother's in-laws' home in the village of Juheri (Mohali) on Friday. His family attended this event. Late on that Friday night, after finishing her work, Ekta spoke with Sukhchain. He had suggested she join them at Juheri for the Jagran, but she chose to stay at her own home, indicating that Anas Qureshi was expected to visit her.

Professionally, Ekta was a manager at a multinational corporation in Mohali, a position that speaks to her skills and responsibilities. Six months prior to the tragic incident, she and her family moved to the Sunny Enclave, signaling a new chapter in their lives. On the day of the incident, after her office work ended, she made her way home around 2:30 AM, confirming her safe arrival in a phone call to her brother. Unknown to her, Anas was trailing behind.

The last known actions of Anas in this horrifying sequence saw him leaving Ekta’s residence after about three hours, wearing different clothes and carrying alcohol bottles. His escape attempt in Ekta’s car tragically culminated in an accident, adding a further layer of chaos and tragedy to the already grim series of events.

In a distressing continuation of events, the accused, Anas Qureshi, found himself critically injured following a grave accident near Shahabad, Haryana. This happened approximately three hours after he fled the scene of his crime, covering a distance of almost 80 kilometers from Ekta’s residence.

The unfolding drama took another turn on Saturday morning when a local from Shahabad Markanda, Haryana, reached out to Sukhchain Singh. This individual reported an accident involving a car that, unbeknownst to him, was connected to the tragic events that had unfolded. When Sukhchain inquired about the driver, expecting perhaps that it might be Ekta, he was informed that a young man was found unconscious at the wheel, not Ekta as he had hoped.

This led to the clarification that the driver was indeed Anas Qureshi, not Ekta, which was established from an identity card discovered in his possession. With growing unease, Sukhchain attempted to contact Ekta, but received no response, intensifying his worry. In a bid to understand the grim reality, he reached out to the neighbors, urging them to check on Ekta at her home, hoping for some sign of safety amidst the growing alarm.

Upon the neighbors' arrival at Ekta’s residence, they were met with a scene of unnerving silence. The front door was ajar, yet calls for Ekta went unanswered, heightening the sense of dread. Their apprehension turned to horror as they ascended to the upper floor, where they found Ekta lifeless beside the bed, her body marred by violence and soaked in blood, showing no signs of life.

In response to the alarming discovery, Sukhchain and his family, gripped by urgency, left Juheri village and arrived at the scene around 9 am. Without delay, they summoned the police to the grim scene.

The scene that confronted the family upon their return was harrowing: the open doorway led them to a bloodstained scene on the first floor where Ekta lay deceased near her bed, her neck bearing the fatal wounds of multiple stabbings, evidence of a brutal attack.

Sukhchain recounted the grim details uncovered through the home's security footage. It showed a young man entering the premises shortly after Ekta's late-night return from work, around two in the morning. This individual, later identified as Anas Qureshi, was captured leaving the house around five in the morning, in possession of alcohol bottles taken from within. These bottles, as Sukhchain explained, were from a recent family celebration, hinting at a premeditated violation of their home's sanctity, culminating in the theft of these items and the use of Ekta's car for his escape.

Ekta and Anas's relationship began around four years ago, where they met and started dating through their work at the same company. Over time, however, the relationship soured, with Ekta expressing to her family that Anas was mentally harassing her, indicating a significant downturn in their interactions.

Her brother Rohit, impacted by the tragic events, formally complained to the police about Anas, who had been part of significant family occasions, like Rohit's wedding, showing how closely Anas had been involved with Ekta and her family.

In terms of the investigation, Deputy Superintendent Karan Singh Sandhu from the local police force has been actively involved, particularly with Anas's situation post-accident. Speaking to the media, including Dainik Bhaskar and Hindustan Times, Sandhu shared that the police are keeping a watchful eye on Anas at the hospital. The plan is to take him into custody as soon as his health allows, to delve deeper into the circumstances and motives of the murder. Despite no clear signs of forced entry at the crime scene and the murder weapon still missing, the police are determined to piece together the events leading to Ekta's tragic death.

The circumstances surrounding the murder are still being pieced together by the investigative team. According to a statement given to the Hindustan Times by the investigating officer, “We are yet to ascertain the exact reason behind the murder. The incident came to the fore after the victim didn’t answer repeated calls from her maternal uncle, following which he went home to check on her, only to find her lying in a blood pool. The inconsolable family then informed the police around 9.30 AM, after which a forensic team was also rushed to collect crucial evidence.”

In the wake of this tragedy, the process of gathering more evidence to understand the events has led to Ekta's body being moved to Kharar Civil Hospital, where an autopsy was conducted. This step is critical for investigators as they attempt to uncover the precise cause of her untimely death. Meanwhile, Anas, implicated in this horrific crime, is facing severe legal consequences. He has been charged under “Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for the alleged murder of Ekta.” This section of the law is specifically designed to address instances of murder, reflecting the seriousness of the accusations against him as the case progresses.

The local law enforcement is keeping a vigilant watch on Anas's health status at the hospital. The moment he is considered stable enough to leave the medical facility, the plan is to take him into police custody to delve deeper into the details of the case. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Karan Singh Sandhu has pointed out significant details about the crime scene, noting that there were “no sign of forcible entry or struggle”, which adds a layer of complexity to the investigation. The search for the murder weapon continues, indicating the thorough and ongoing nature of the police efforts to piece together how the crime unfolded.

The task at hand for the authorities is substantial, as they are not just focused on the immediate aspects of the crime but are also striving to understand the broader picture, particularly the motive behind such a heinous act. This element is crucial for building a comprehensive narrative of the incident, ensuring that all aspects of the tragic event are explored and understood in their entirety.