Haryana model found murdered with slit throat in Sonipat's canal

The victim was identified as Sheetal, also known as Simmi, of Panipat.

The body of a Haryana-based model was found dumped in a canal in Kharkhoda area of Sonipat, Haryana, officials said on Monday, NDTV reported.

The victim was identified as Sheetal, also known as Simmi, of Panipat. She used to work in the Haryanvi music industry. According to the reports, Sheetal’s throat was slit and the reason for the murder is not yet known. Officials said the killers are yet to be identified and currently on the run.

A few days ago, Sheetal was reported missing by her family members. Following the complaint, the Panipat police had registered a missing person's report. As per the report, the Sonipat police took possession of Sheetal’s body on Sunday night and sent it for post-mortem.

The search is on for the accused, the report added.

According to a report by India Today, Sheetal’s sister had lodged a complaint on June 14 after Sheetal failed to return home from an album shoot in Ahar village.

Police sources said Sheetal had left two days ago in a car with a male companion, identified as Sunil. The vehicle reportedly fell into the canal under suspicious circumstances. While Sunil was rescued and is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Panipat, Sheetal's body was recovered during the vehicle’s retrieval operation, the report added.

"There are injury marks on the body, and we can confirm it's a murder case," DSP Rajbir Singh was quoted by India Today as saying.

Sheetal's family has alleged foul play, insisting she was murdered, not drowned accidentally, the report added.