US Citizen, 71, Who Came To Punjab To Marry NRI Man, 75, Burnt To Death
A 71-year-old woman, a US citizen of Indian origin, was allegedly killed shortly after she arrived here from Seattle to marry a 75-year-old UK-based NRI man, police said on Wednesday.
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Rupinder Kaur Pandher had traveled to India following an invitation from Charanjit Singh Grewal.
Ludhiana:
A 71-year-old US citizen of Indian descent was allegedly murdered shortly after arriving in Ludhiana from Seattle to marry a 75-year-old UK-based NRI man, according to police statements on Wednesday.
The tragic incident, which occurred in July, was recently revealed after Ludhiana Police identified suspects in an FIR filed regarding the woman's disappearance.
Police reported that Rupinder Kaur Pandher had journeyed to India at the invitation of Charanjit Singh Grewal, a non-residential Indian (NRI) based in England but originally from Ludhiana, who was supposed to be her future husband.
Investigators allege that Grewal himself orchestrated her murder.
According to police, suspicions arose when Pandher's sister, Kamal Kaur Khairah, discovered her mobile phone was switched off on July 24.
By July 28, Khairah had contacted the US embassy in New Delhi, which prompted local police to investigate the matter.
The Khairah family only received confirmation of her death last week.
Police arrested Sukhjeet Singh Sonu from Malha Patti for the US citizen's murder.
Authorities state that Sonu allegedly confessed to killing Pandher in his residence and subsequently burning her body in a storeroom.
Police investigations revealed that Sonu acted on Grewal's instructions, who allegedly promised him Rs 50 lakh for murdering Pandher.
Officers indicated the motive was financial gain, as Pandher had transferred a substantial sum of money to Grewal before her visit to India.
Deputy Inspector General (Ludhiana Police Range) Satinder Singh confirmed that Grewal, who remains at large, has been named as a suspect in the case.
Police are currently working to locate the victim's skeletal remains and other evidence based on Sonu's confession.