A woman working at a private firm in Indian city of Mohali was stabbed to death inside her office by her colleague and alleged former partner, horrifying CCTV footage doing the rounds on social media has shown.
The video, that also showed the suspect, namely Harvinder Mann aka Harry, subsequently attempting suicide by repeatedly stabbing himself in the throat, was recorded at around 7:40 pm on Thursday.
Mann was first seen entering the workplace and attacking the victim, identified as Dimple, from behind while she was at her desk.
When Dimple tried to flee, Mann dragged her by her hair near the entrance of the office and continued to stab her more than 20 times.
Four to five employees present at the scene attempted to intervene but could not stop the attack.
Following the assault, Mann went back inside and stabbed himself in the throat over 30 times.
Witnesses alerted the police and transported both individuals to Fortis Hospital. Dimple was pronounced dead upon arrival while Mann remains in critical condition.
Police investigations indicate that Mann and Dimple had been colleagues for approximately three years, during which they developed a relationship that ended later.
Reports said that Mann wanted the two to get back together and the attack followed an argument regarding their relationship status earlier in the day.
A forensic team has gathered evidence from the crime scene, a formal case has been registered and the victim’s post-mortem examination scheduled.
Meanwhile, the incident has triggered extensive reactions online, focusing on the inaction of bystanders, the toxicity of obsession and workplace safety in India.
One user commented, “If not mine, then no one’s mindset keeps ruining lives without a doubt, cinema has played a role in normalising this toxic obsession in the name of love [sic].”
“All influence of shitty bollywood films,” wrote another.
Several others also criticised the victim’s coworkers. “The man here is becoming so weak, hardly anyone tried with force to remove him and just watching him kill her helplessly,” said one user.
Others asked why an entire group couldn’t manhandle a single guy. “Never saw this many cowards in a single frame,” said one.
Some comments also questioned the suspect’s state of mind, with one stating, “No normal person can do this; you have to be an experienced intoxicated person to commit such an act.”
Two points everyone seemed to agree upon were for the authorities to ensure strictest punishment for the attacker, and private workplaces needing better security protocols.
