A cinematographer who has previously lived and worked in Sydney was arrested in India on Thursday over the alleged murder of a Punjabi film industry make-up artist.
Manjit Thind was arrested after the dead body of 27-year-old Geet Brar was recovered from Rajpura in Punjab on Wednesday.
Police said Thind (38) was a friend of the victim and alleged that he murdered her on Tuesday by firing three shots at her from close range after he had picked her up from her rented in Chandigarh.
The victim’s body was then allegedly dumped at Rajpura. Police said she had three bullet injuries, in her head and neck.
Manjit Thind during a press conference in Patiala on Wednesday. Source: Supplied
According to the police, Thind owed the victim Rs 26 lakh ($52,000 approx) which he had borrowed for purchasing video equipment, and alleged that he killed Ms Brar when she persistently demanded her money back.
Police said a few witnesses have confirmed having seen the victim leaving her accommodation in Chandigarh with a man on Tuesday at around 5:30 pm following which her mobile phone was switched off and she remained missing until her body was discovered the next day.
Punjab police said in a statement that Thind confessed to his crime and the murder weapon, a revolver has been recovered from him.
Ms Brar was a popular make-up artist who had worked with many celebrities of the Punjabi film industry like Japuji Khaira, Roshan Prince, Jassi Gill, Anmol Rattan, Binnu Dhillon and many others.
