17 September, 2025 – Ludhiana : In a shocking case of betrayal and murder, a 72-year-old US citizen, Rupinder Kaur Pandher, was allegedly killed in Kila Raipur village, Ludhiana, after travelling from Seattle to India to marry a 75-year-old UK-based NRI in Punjab.
The main suspect, Sukhjeet Singh Sonu, has confessed to murdering her on the night of July 12-13, under instructions from the would-be groom, Charanjit Singh Grewal, according to police.
Police revealed that the victim was lured to Punjab under the pretext of marriage. She had reportedly transferred large sums of money to accounts linked to the suspects. Investigators now believe that financial gain was the primary motive behind the brutal killing.
According to ACP Harjinder Singh Gill and SHO Sukhjinder Singh, Sonu confessed to killing Rupinder Kaur and attempting to destroy evidence by burning her body with diesel inside a storeroom at his residence. He then cooled the remains with water and disposed of the ashes in a drain near Lehra village. Police have since recovered partial skeletal remains, which are being used to confirm the victim’s identity.
The case came to light only weeks later when Rupinder Kaur’s sister, Kamal Kaur Khairah, reported her missing and alerted the US Embassy in India on July 28, after repeated failed attempts to contact her. The breakthrough came when a friend informed the family of Sonu’s detention by Dehlon police.
The investigation has revealed that Charanjit Singh Grewal, who resides in England but hails from Mehma Singh Wala village, allegedly plotted the murder and promised Sonu Rs 50 lakh to carry it out. Police say Rupinder Kaur had transferred funds to both Sonu and his brother prior to her disappearance.
Charanjit Singh has been named as a prime suspect, and authorities are working to gather further evidence and pursue his arrest. Police have also seized evidence from Sonu’s property and are continuing their forensic analysis.
ACP Gill confirmed ongoing efforts to recover more remains and documentation, as the case moves toward formal charges and potentially international cooperation in apprehending the UK-based suspect.
How sister’s panic call to US Embassy led to unravelling of the chilling murder of NRI woman in Punjab
Chandigarh : In a disturbing case of betrayal and murder, a 72-year-old US citizen, Rupinder Kaur Pandher, was allegedly killed in Kila Raipur village near Ludhiana, Punjab, after travelling from Seattle to marry a 75-year-old NRI based in the UK.
According to police, the murder was part of a well-planned conspiracy, masterminded by the would-be groom, Charanjit Singh Grewal, originally from Mehma Singh Wala village, now residing in England.
Grewal allegedly offered Rs 50 lakh to his associate, Sukhjeet Singh Sonu, to carry out the murder.
Police say Sonu confessed to killing Rupinder Kaur on the night of July 12-13 and attempting to destroy the evidence by burning her body with diesel in a storeroom at his house.
He then reportedly cooled the remains with water and dumped the ashes in a nearby drain in Lehra village. Investigators have recovered partial skeletal remains for forensic analysis.
The crime came to light when Rupinder Kaur’s sister, Kamal Kaur Khairah, contacted the US Embassy in India on July 28, and filed a missing person report after losing contact with her. For four days the victim’s phone was found switched off. Following her persistent efforts, the US Embassy reportedly took up the matter with the local police.
It was only last Thursday that the Khairah family received a call from a friend, informing them about Rupinder Kaur’s suspected murder and the detention of Sukhjeet Singh Sonu by the Dehlon police.
A tip-off about Sonu’s detention helped crack the investigation.
Police revealed that Rupinder Kaur was lured to India under the false promise of marriage. During this time, she had transferred significant sums of money to bank accounts linked to Sonu and his brother. Financial gain is now believed to be the primary motive behind the murder.
Authorities have begun the process of collecting more evidence, including financial records and forensic samples. They are also preparing to seek international cooperation to apprehend Charanjit Singh Grewal, who remains at large in the UK.
The Tribune