BHOPAL: A 27-year-old female model, Khushboo Ahirwar, was found dead under mysterious circumstances on the outskirts of Madhya Pradesh’s capital, Bhopal, early Monday morning.
According to reports, Khushboo was allegedly abandoned by her live-in partner, Qasim, at a private hospital near Bhainsakhedi on Indore Road. Qasim has been untraceable since then.
Doctors at the hospital declared Khushboo dead upon arrival. After being informed by the hospital, local police rushed to the scene, and the body was sent to Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal for autopsy under magisterial supervision.
Outside the hospital, Khushboo’s mother, Laxmi Ahirwar, broke down in grief and alleged that her daughter had been brutally murdered.
“There were blue injury marks all over her body, her face was swollen, and there were bruises on her private parts as well. My daughter has been murdered brutally,” alleged Laxmi.
Family sources said Khushboo, a college dropout, had been in a live-in relationship with Qasim, who left her at the hospital and has been missing since.
Preliminary police investigations suggest that Khushboo and Qasim were returning from Ujjain to Bhopal when her health deteriorated. Qasim reportedly left her at the hospital on Indore Road and fled.
Echoing their mother’s sentiments, Khushboo’s sister also alleged foul play and demanded Qasim’s immediate arrest.
“We want justice. The man who killed Khushboo should be arrested immediately and punished severely,” she said.
Khushboo, who had dropped out of college during her first year of a BA course, had been living in Bhopal for the past three years.
Her mother recalled that three days earlier, Qasim had called the family to inform them that Khushboo was with him and that he was taking her to Ujjain. Later, Khushboo herself had called to reassure them about Qasim’s intentions.
Known online by her Instagram handle @DiamondGirl, Khushboo was a rising model in Bhopal’s fashion circuit. She was also doing part-time jobs while pursuing her dream of becoming a top model.
An inquest has been registered, and police have launched a search to locate and question the absconding Qasim.
“The autopsy report is awaited. The matter is being probed from all angles, including sexual assault and murder,” a local police officer said.