Baltana self‑immolation suspect arrested two days after attempt

Police nabbed Baljit Singh in Baltana, Mohali—two days after a woman named Shweta tried to set herself on fire outside his salon. She poured kerosene on herself in desperation on April 30, but bystanders stopped her before flames erupted. Baljit, the salon owner, had promised her marriage and a joint business—then allegedly ditched her. Now he's facing serious charges under India's new criminal code. The arrest closes a frantic two-day manhunt, but cops are digging deeper into what drove her to the edge. ### What sparked the self-immolation attempt? Shweta and Baljit met through social media. He runs a salon in Baltana, a bustling suburb near Chandigarh. Turns out, he sweet-talked her into a relationship—promised they'd marry and run the salon together. They even lived together briefly. But when Shweta pressed for commitment, Baljit ghosted her, citing family pressure. On April 30, she showed up at the salon, doused herself with kerosene, and screamed about betrayal. Locals rushed in, extinguished the threat—no burns, but deep trauma. She told police everything post-hospitalization. ### Why did Baljit flee for two days? After Shweta's dramatic protest, Baljit shut the salon and bolted. Police registered an FIR right away under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 69—the big one here. He hid locally, but tips from the community led cops to his spot on May 2. No resistance; straight to the station. Investigators say he confessed bits during questioning—admits the relationship but denies deceit. The two-day gap let them build the case quietly. ### What's Section 69 all about? Section 69 of BNS targets "deceitful means" for sexual intercourse—like false promises of marriage. It's new, replacing old IPC loopholes. Punishment? Up to 10 years in jail plus fine. The catch: prosecutors must prove intent to deceive from the start. No marriage promise? No case. Here, Shweta claims joint salon ops were part of the lure—business as bait for intimacy. Baljit's side? Just a fling gone sour. Courts are testing these charges hard; conviction rates still low. ### How common are these cases in Punjab? Self-immolations over love scams aren't rare here—Punjab sees dozens yearly, often women scorned. Section 69 bookings spiked post-2024 BNS rollout: over 200 FIRs statewide in 2025 alone. Mohali police link many to social media hookups. Mohali SSP (name not public yet) says they're probing Baljit's phone for patterns—other victims? Accomplices like friends who egged him on? Victim's stable at Civil Hospital, Mohali—counseling underway. ### Who is Baljit Singh really? 32-year-old local, married? Unclear—police checking. Salon was his main gig; no priors jumped out. Community shocked—he seemed straight-laced. But whispers say he juggled relationships. Cops seized his phone, socials—digital trail key. No bail yet; in lockup as probe expands. Shweta, 28, from nearby—first job, trusted too quick. ### What happens next in court? Chargesheet soon—Section 69 plus harassment, cheating. Baljit's lawyer will argue consent, no deceit. Shweta testifies; medical reports back trauma. If proven, lengthy sentence—deterrent signal. Broader push: Punjab cops running awareness on fake promises. Women's helplines buzzing post-stories like this. Turns out, one arrest ripples—more women speaking up. Bottom line: This Baltana bust spotlights Section 69's bite—false vows leading to despair. Shweta survives; Baljit faces justice. But Punjab's scam-love epidemic rolls on—cops urge caution on apps. Probe ongoing; watch for accomplices. Real change? Stronger convictions, faster. ``` (Word count: 528)