Punjab crime: Greed for money leads to murder of US citizen, aged 71, in Ludhiana, NRI groom among accused

PTC Web Desk:  The Punjab Police have unearthed a chilling murder case involving a 71-year-old US citizen of Indian origin, Rupinder Kaur Pandher, who was allegedly killed in late July in Kila Raipur village, Ludhiana. The case, initially treated as a disappearance, has now revealed a plot driven by fraud and betrayal, with suspects including a UK-based NRI.

As per information, in July,  Rupinder Kaur, a divorced woman living in Seattle, US, travelled to Punjab after being promised marriage by 75-year-old Charanjit Singh Grewal, an NRI from Mehma Singh Wala village, currently based in England. She stayed in Kila Raipur, Ludhiana, allegedly in connection with her upcoming wedding. Days later, her phone was switched off, raising suspicion. 

On July 28, her sister, Kamal Kaur Khairah, alerted the US Embassy in India after failing to reach her. The embassy subsequently raised the issue with the local police. On August 18, Sukhjeet Singh alias Sonu, a resident of Malha Patti, Kila Raipur, lodged a complaint at the Dehlon police station, claiming Rupinder had been detained by unknown persons after leaving for the Delhi airport. Last week, the Dehlon Police detained Sonu, who later confessed to the murder. According to his statement, he strangled Rupinder Kaur and burned her body in a storeroom of his house. He admitted he committed the crime at the behest of Charanjit Singh Grewal, who had promised him Rs 50 lakh.

The police said skeletal remains were being traced based on Sonu’s disclosure. The police have already recovered incriminating evidence from his residence.

Investigations revealed that Rupinder Kaur had transferred large sums of money into the accounts of Sonu and his brother. The police believe the murder was plotted to usurp her wealth, disguised as a marriage proposal.

Kamal Kaur alleged that Grewal had lured her sister to Punjab under the pretext of marriage and orchestrated the crime with Sonu. She has urged the authorities to recover Rupinder’s remains and ensure justice.

A status report filed by Dehlon SHO Sukhjinder Singh confirmed Sonu’s confession and detailed the conspiracy with Grewal. Grewal has also been named a suspect.