A shocking case of betrayal and murder has come to light in Punjab, India, involving a 71-year-old US citizen of Indian origin. Rupinder Kaur Pandher, who traveled from Seattle to India to marry a 75-year-old UK-based Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Charanjit Singh Grewal, was allegedly murdered shortly after her arrival in July.
The Ludhiana police have identified the main suspect as Sukhjeet Singh alias Sonu, who has reportedly confessed to the crime. According to the police, Sonu admitted to killing Rupinder on the night of July 12-13, acting on instructions from Grewal. Investigators believe that financial gain was the primary motive behind the murder. Police sources indicate that Grewal, originally from Mehma Singh Wala village, now residing in the United Kingdom, allegedly plotted the murder and promised Sonu Rs 50 lakh (approximately $60,000 USD) to carry out the killing.
In a gruesome attempt to conceal the crime, Sonu reportedly burned Rupinder's body with diesel in a storeroom at his residence. He then allegedly cooled the remains with water and disposed of the ashes in a nearby drain in Lehra village. Police have recovered partial skeletal remains and sent them for forensic analysis.
The case came to light when Rupinder's sister, Kamal Kaur Khaizah, who resides in the US, contacted the US Embassy in India on July 28 after being unable to reach her sister for four days. Rupinder's phone had been switched off shortly after she traveled to Kila Raipur at Grewal's invitation. Following Kamal's persistent efforts, the US Embassy took up the matter with the Punjab Police. The family received a call from a friend who informed them of Rupinder's suspected murder and Sonu's arrest, which proved to be the breakthrough in the case.
Police revealed that Rupinder was lured to India under the false promise of marriage. During this time, she had reportedly transferred significant sums of money to bank accounts linked to Sonu and his brother. Grewal has been named as the prime suspect, and efforts are underway to gather further evidence and secure his arrest. His brother and other associates have also been named in the FIR and are currently absconding.
