This June, a young Haryanvi model who rose to fame through music videos became the center of a shocking murder mystery that has rattled both the entertainment world and local communities.
The victim: Sheetal, also known as Simmi Chaudhry, whose body was discovered with fatal throat injuries near a canal in Sonipat district. The case has sparked outrage, grief, and many urgent questions.
1. Discovery of the Body and Official Response
On June 16, 2025, officers in Kharkhoda, Sonipat discovered the body of a woman—later identified as Sheetal—in the Reliance canal near Khanda village, just two days after she disappeared.
- The body was found face-down with her throat slit, a sign of a brutal homicide. Local and Panipat police immediately launched a murder investigation.
- Key senior officials, including Sonipat ACP Ajit Singh and DSP Rajbir Singh, reported visible wounds confirming criminal intent—eliminating any notion of accidental death.
- A joint probe between Sonipat and Panipat police was announced, and a post-mortem was conducted at a civil hospital
2. Who Was Sheetal (“Simmi” Chaudhry)? Her Life & Career
- Sheetal, aged around 23, originally hailed from Khalila Majra village, Panipat, and lived with her sister, Neha, in Panipat’s Sat Kartar Colony.
- She began her career about six months ago, initially working at a hotel in Karnal before transitioning into the Haryanvi music video industry under the stage name Simmi Chaudhry
- Her family and the local modelling community are shocked, mourning the death of a vibrant new talent
3. The Timeline: From Shooting Set to Canal
- On June 14, Sheetal departed home for a music video shoot in Ahar village, Panipat—a routine assignment for her burgeoning career
- By that evening, missing-persons report was filed by her sister Neha at the Old Industrial Area Police Station, Panipat, after shelal ceased communication
4. The Distress Call: Allegations Against “Sunil”
Before she vanished, Sheetal reportedly made a video call to Neha, claiming that a man named Sunil—allegedly a former acquaintance—is her assailant
- She told her sister Sunil had assaulted her on set and was pressuring her to accompany him
- During that call, she connected and then her phone went dead, never to be heard from again
5. Sunil’s Role and Vehicle Mystery
- Authorities discovered a car belonging to Sunil submerged near a canal around the same time
- Sunil survived the vehicle capsizing and is currently hospitalised in Panipat. The police haven’t charged him yet, but he is a prime suspect .
- Law enforcement is exploring whether the car accident was a ruse to conceal film or the crime itself .
6. Police Investigation: Evidence & Forensics
- Teams are scouring CCTV feeds, tracking communication logs, and gathering witness statements from both Panipat and Sonipat
- Post-mortem tissues and forensic samples are being analysed—time of death, type of weapon, and injury angle are key to building the case .
- Investigators are evaluating possible mobile data—last seen locations, and are considering any links to Tamil Nadu influencer murder that also happened recently .
7. Family Allegations & Community Uproar
- Neha’s accusations against Sunil are stark: she says he “continued pursuing Sheetal even after discovering he was married with children,” and “he called her to the shoot and attacked her”
- The local modelling and artistic community has responded with shock, concerned about safety on shoots and regarding professional boundaries
- Civilians and rights advocates are calling for a swift arrest, probing deeper into violence targeting women in creative spaces.
8. Broader Context: Pattern of Danger in Content Creation
- This incident echoes the recent murder of influencer Kanchan Kumari (Kamal Kaur Bhabhi) in Punjab—raising fears about safety for women with a public presence
- Such crimes are fueling demands for stronger security protocols on shoot sites, more restrictive screening for crew and locations, and legal protections for women public figures.
9. What Police Are Doing Next
- Basic actions: registering FIR, recording statements, registering Sunil as a suspect.
- Deep dives: forensic and digital evidence collection—mobile tower logs, call records, vehicle black box if any.
- Anticipated: arrest or charges against Sunil or other suspects as the investigation yields results.
- Wider review: exploring similar past threats or violence linked to Sheetal due to her modelling career.
10. Why India Cares: Beyond Just a Model’s Murder
- Sheetal represented an emerging segment of young women in regional entertainment, and her haunting death is a crime against opportunity and expression.
- The brutality with which she was killed—throat slit, dumped into a canal—underscores brutal violence against women and its horrific social implications
- The absence of early protection or safe measures raises questions about how society safeguards women in public-facing, creative roles.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Sheetal (“Simmi” Chaudhry), ~23, Haryanvi model from Panipat |
| Disappearance | June 14 after attending a music video shoot in Ahar |
| Discovery | June 16 in Reliance canal, Kharkhoda, Sonipat; throat slit |
| Suspect | Sunil (former acquaintance), car found submerged; hospitalized |
| Investigation | Joint police team, CCTV, forensics, post-mortem, call logs |
| Family Claims | Assault complaint; pressure to marry; disrupted call |
| Public Outcry | Demands for justice and better safety for women artists |
12. What Happens Next?
- Key questions: motive, evidence trail, justice for a public figure
- Public safety measures: safer work standards for women on shoots
- Legal accountability: prosecution based on forensic, digital, and witness proof
- Industry reflection: how the Haryanvi and regional entertainment sectors will improve protection
The murder of Sheetal (Simmi Chaudhry) is a gut-wrenching reminder: rising violence targeting women, even in budding entertainment domains, demands urgent action.
Her brutal end shocks us—but it can only be avenged by a diligent investigation, transparent justice, and structural reforms to keep protected those whose creativity paves newer cultural paths.
