By News Karnataka
Copyright newskarnataka
Ludhiana: A 71-year-old woman, a US citizen of Indian origin, was allegedly murdered in Ludhiana shortly after she arrived from Seattle to marry a 75-year-old UK-based NRI man, police said on Wednesday.
The crime, which occurred in July, surfaced only recently after Ludhiana Police named suspects in an FIR that had initially been filed as a missing person case.
Victim identified as Rupinder Kaur Pandher
Police identified the victim as Rupinder Kaur Pandher, who had travelled to India at the invitation of Charanjit Singh Grewal, an England-based non-resident Indian originally from Ludhiana. Grewal, who was to marry Pandher, is now accused of orchestrating her killing.
Police believe that financial motives were at the centre of the crime. Pandher had reportedly transferred a significant sum of money to Grewal prior to her visit.
Timeline of disappearance
According to investigators, Pandher’s sister, Kamal Kaur Khairah, grew suspicious when she found Pandher’s mobile phone switched off on July 24. By July 28, Khairah had alerted the US embassy in New Delhi, which pressed local authorities to investigate.
It was only last week that the Khairah family was informed about Pandher’s death.
Arrest and confession
Police have arrested Sukhjeet Singh Sonu, a resident of Malha Patti, for carrying out the killing. During interrogation, Sonu allegedly confessed to murdering Pandher at his house and then burning her body in a storeroom.
Investigators said Sonu admitted to acting on the instructions of Grewal, who had allegedly promised him ₹50 lakh for the crime.
Deputy Inspector General (Ludhiana Police Range) Satinder Singh confirmed that Grewal, who is currently absconding, has been named as a suspect in the case.
Ongoing investigation
Police teams are now attempting to recover skeletal remains and other forensic evidence from the location identified by Sonu. The authorities have also launched a manhunt to trace Grewal, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
The shocking incident has raised concerns among NRI families in Punjab, many of whom have urged stricter safeguards in cases involving financial transactions and matrimonial arrangements
