A 71-year-old US woman of Indian origin was allegedly murdered shortly after arriving in Punjab to marry a 75-year-old UK-based NRI. Rupinder Kaur Pandher traveled from Seattle to India at the invitation of Charanjit Singh Grewal, who was to be her groom. The incident occurred in July but recently came to light after Ludhiana Police named suspects in the FIR lodged over Pandher's disappearance.

Police investigations suggest Grewal orchestrated Pandher's murder. Sukhjeet Singh Sonu has been arrested and allegedly confessed to killing Pandher at his house and burning her body in a storeroom, acting on Grewal's instructions. Grewal allegedly promised Sonu Rs 5 million for the murder. The suspected motive was financial, as Pandher had reportedly transferred a significant amount of money to Grewal before her visit.

Rupinder Kaur Pandher's sister, Kamal Kaur Khairah, grew suspicious after her phone was switched off on July 24. Deputy Inspector General Satinder Singh confirmed Grewal is a suspect and currently absconding.