71-Year-Old US Woman Murdered In Punjab Over NRI Groom Dispute

A 71-year-old US citizen of Indian origin was allegedly murdered in Punjab's Ludhiana district shortly after arriving from Seattle to marry a 75-year-old UK-based non-resident Indian (NRI), police revealed on Wednesday. The incident, which occurred in July but only surfaced recently following an FIR on the woman's disappearance, has been classified as a financial motive-driven conspiracy.

Rupinder Kaur Pandher travelled to India at the invitation of Charanjit Singh Grewal, an NRI originally from Mehma Singh Wala village in Ludhiana, who was set to be her groom. Authorities suspect Grewal orchestrated the killing after Pandher transferred a substantial sum of money to him prior to her visit.

Pandher's sister, Kamal Kaur Khairah, grew concerned when her phone went silent on July 24, 2025. By July 28, Khairah alerted the US Embassy in New Delhi, prompting local police intervention. The case broke open last week when a family friend informed them of the suspected murder and the arrest of Sukhjeet Singh Sonu from Malha Patti village.

Sonu, the alleged perpetrator, confessed to strangling Pandher at his residence in Kila Raipur village on the night of July 12-13, then burning her body with diesel in a storeroom to destroy evidence. He cooled the remains with water before dumping the ashes in a drain near Lehra village. Police stated that Sonu acted on Grewal's instructions, who promised him Rs 50 lakh for the contract killing. Grewal, currently absconding in England, has been named as the prime suspect in the FIR.

Deputy Inspector General of Ludhiana Range, Satinder Singh, confirmed the financial angle, noting Pandher's prior remittances to Grewal as a key factor. The case echoes concerns over NRIs exploiting vulnerable individuals through matrimonial scams, a recurring issue in Punjab, where families often arrange marriages via social media or community networks without thorough verification.

Investigations are underway to recover any skeletal remains and forensic evidence based on Sonu's disclosures, with efforts to extradite Grewal involving coordination between Indian and UK authorities. The US Embassy's involvement underscores the diplomatic sensitivities of crimes affecting overseas citizens of Indian descent.

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The tragedy highlights vulnerabilities faced by elderly NRIs returning to their roots for personal milestones amid rising reports of fraud in cross-border relationships. Police have urged caution in such arrangements and are appealing for public tips to apprehend Grewal.

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