Psychological & Behavioral Intelligence

Lakhvinder Cheema and Gurjeet Choong Allegedly Murdered by Lakhvir Kaur Singh, Feltham, Greater London, England

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Human-reviewed analysis

Psychological & Behavioral Intelligence

This source-based behavioral analysis does not establish a clinical diagnosis, motive, or legal finding.

Case Overview

This case involves a prolonged secret extradyadic relationship between Lakhvinder Cheema and Lakhvir Kaur Singh, which ended when Cheema sought a conventional marriage with Gurjeet Choong. The termination of the affair triggered intense emotional and behavioral responses from Singh, culminating in a premeditated poisoning using a rare and lethal toxin. The psychological and behavioral analysis focuses on the interplay of attachment insecurity, relationship dissolution, emotional escalation, and deliberate instrumental aggression, as well as the impact on the surviving victim and the broader family dynamics.

Relationship Dynamics

Lakhvir Kaur Singh maintained a 16-year secret affair with Lakhvinder Cheema, which was central to her life despite her official marriage and family. Cheema's decision to end the affair and become engaged to Gurjeet Choong, a young woman brought from India for a traditional marriage, was perceived by Singh as a profound loss and rejection. Singh's refusal to accept the relationship's end manifested in threats and intrusive behavior, including appearing near Cheema's home and making ominous statements about his fate if he left her. The relationship stressors included extradyadic attachment, separation threat, and chronic interpersonal conflict. The family dynamics were complicated by Singh's marriage and her attempt to deflect blame onto her brother-in-law, Varinder, indicating family-system conflict and deception.

Escalation Summary

The pathway began with the ending of a long-term secret affair, followed by Singh's emotional escalation marked by threats and intrusive presence. An initial poisoning attempt in December 2008 failed, leading Singh to acquire a rare poison from India. On January 27th, 2009, Singh accessed the victim's home and contaminated the food deliberately. The victim consumed a lethal dose and died shortly after, while the fiancée survived due to lesser consumption. Post-offense, Singh denied involvement and attempted to shift blame, but forensic and testimonial evidence led to her conviction.

Observed Patterns and Case-Specific Context

Each entry separates the reported behavior or state from the analytical strength of the available narration.

Behavior / construct	Person / subject	Detailed case context	Evidence
Extradyadic attachment Attachment-related behavior	Lakhvir Kaur Singh SuspectHired Suspect/Offender	Lakhvir Kaur Singh sustained a 16-year extramarital relationship with Lakhvinder Cheema, which was described as the center of her world. This attachment persisted alongside her marriage and family responsibilities, indicating a strong emotional and practical investment in the affair that shaped her identity and daily life. Context or trigger: 16-year secret affair with Lakhvinder Cheema running parallel to her marriage Reported expression: Maintained a long-term secret relationship that was central to her life despite official family roles	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: High
Separation or abandonment threat Loss or threat	Lakhvir Kaur Singh SuspectHired Suspect/Offender	Upon learning of Cheema's engagement to Gurjeet, Singh reacted with emotional escalation, showing up near his home and making explicit threats that if he would not be with her, he would not be with anyone. This indicates a perceived threat of abandonment and loss of a significant attachment figure, triggering hostile and controlling behaviors. Context or trigger: Cheema's decision to end the affair and become engaged to Gurjeet Choong Reported expression: Extreme response including threats and intrusive behavior near Cheema's home	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: High
Premeditation and planning Planning or impulsivity	Lakhvir Kaur Singh SuspectHired Suspect/Offender	After an unsuccessful poisoning attempt in December 2008, Singh traveled to India to obtain raw aconite, a rare and lethal toxin. She brought it back to England and deliberately accessed the victim's home to contaminate the curry, demonstrating advance planning, knowledge, and intent to cause harm. Context or trigger: Failed poisoning attempt in December 2008 followed by travel to India to obtain aconite Reported expression: Deliberate acquisition of a rare poison and planned contamination of food	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: High
Instrumental aggression Offender behavior	Lakhvir Kaur Singh SuspectHired Suspect/Offender	Singh's act of introducing aconite into the curry was a calculated use of aggression to achieve the objective of harming Cheema and preventing his marriage to Gurjeet. The method was covert, lethal, and intended to cause maximum harm, reflecting instrumental aggression rather than impulsive violence. Context or trigger: Deliberate poisoning of food consumed by Cheema and Gurjeet Reported expression: Use of poison to cause death and serious injury	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: High
Chronic interpersonal conflict Relationship stressor	Case-wide	The 16-year secret relationship and its termination generated prolonged interpersonal conflict, including threats from Singh and eventual lethal poisoning. This conflict was marked by secrecy, emotional tension, and escalating hostility over months. Context or trigger: Longstanding secret affair ending and ensuing threats and hostility Reported expression: Sustained conflict between Singh and Cheema culminating in threats and poisoning	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: High
Fear or perceived threat Emotional state	Gurjeet Choong VictimLover of victim	After surviving the poisoning and losing her fiancé, Gurjeet reported feeling very tense and that her life had stopped. She constantly thought about her future and the traumatic events, indicating ongoing fear and emotional distress related to the incident and its aftermath. Context or trigger: Survival after poisoning and loss of fiancé Reported expression: Feeling tense, life stopped, constant worry about future	Explicitly reported Confidence: High
Help-seeking or disclosure Coping response	Lakhvinder Cheema VictimVictim	In his final minutes, Cheema made a 999 call to emergency services, clearly naming Lakhvir Kaur Singh as responsible. Despite severe physical impairment, he maintained coherence and deliberately disclosed the identity of the alleged offender, representing a critical act of help-seeking and disclosure. Context or trigger: Final moments after poisoning Reported expression: Calling 999 and naming suspect clearly despite deteriorating condition	Explicitly reported Confidence: High
Deception or concealment Behavioral pattern	Lakhvir Kaur Singh SuspectHired Suspect/Offender	Upon arrest, Singh claimed the aconite powder found on her was medication for a rash and attempted to shift blame to her brother-in-law, Varinder. These actions represent attempts at deception and concealment to evade responsibility and mislead investigators. Context or trigger: Arrest and investigation Reported expression: Claiming poison was medication and blaming brother-in-law	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: High
Family opposition or interference Family dynamics	Lakhvir Kaur Singh SuspectHired Suspect/Offender	Singh's accusation against her brother-in-law Varinder suggests family-system conflict and interference in the case. This may reflect internal family tensions or an attempt to deflect culpability within the family network. Context or trigger: Blaming brother-in-law for poisoning Reported expression: Attempting to implicate a family member in the crime	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: Moderate
Marital dissatisfaction Relationship stressor	Lakhvinder Cheema VictimVictim	Cheema's decision to end the long-term affair and become engaged to Gurjeet reflects dissatisfaction with the secretive, extramarital relationship and a wish for a socially conventional marriage and family life, indicating a shift in relationship priorities and expectations. Context or trigger: Ending 16-year affair and seeking traditional marriage Reported expression: Desire for conventional family life and fresh start	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: High
Emotional escalation Escalation	Lakhvir Kaur Singh SuspectHired Suspect/Offender	Singh's emotional response escalated from verbal threats and appearing near Cheema's home to the premeditated act of poisoning. This progression shows intensifying hostility and loss of behavioral restraint over time. Context or trigger: Response to Cheema's engagement and ending of affair Reported expression: Threats and intrusive behavior escalating to lethal action	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: High

Behavioral Escalation Pathway

Select a stage to expand it; scroll horizontally to follow the full sequence.

Narrative sequence

1 Long-term secret affair established Lakhvir Kaur Singh SuspectHired Suspect/Offender Extradyadic attachment Narrative-supported psychological state

For 16 years, Singh maintained a secret extramarital relationship with Cheema, which was central to her life despite her official marriage and family roles. This attachment shaped her identity and emotional investment.