71-Year-Old US Woman, Came Punjab To Marry NRI Businessman, Burnt To Death

Last Updated:September 18, 2025, 10:23 IST

Charanjit Singh Grewal, an England-based non-resident Indian (NRI), who hails from Ludhiana, had called her to India.

The deceased have been identified as Rupinder Kaur Pandher (Credits: X)

A 71-year-old Indian-origin US woman was killed in Punjab’s Ludhiana after she came to India from Seattle to marry a UK-based NRI man, reported PTI, citing officials. The woman was allegedly killed by the 75-year-old man, who was supposed to be her bridegroom.

The incident that took place in July came to light recently, after a missing person’s report was filed after Rupinder Kaur Pandher’s sister found her phone switched off.

A tense Kamal Kaur Khairah got suspicious and alerted the US embassy in New Delhi by July 28, four days after she found her sister’s phone switched off on July 24. The agency then asked the local police to probe the matter.

Upon investigation, it was found that Charanjit Singh Grewal, an England-based non-resident Indian (NRI), who hails from Ludhiana, had himself called the victim woman to India. While the two were set to tie the knot, Grewal allegedly orchestrated her killing.

According to the report, the Khairah family only got to know about Pandher’s demise earlier this week.

The police at first arrested Sukhjeet Singh Sonu of Malha Patti in connection with the murder of Pandher.

Sonu confessed to the crime, revealing that he killed her in his house and burned her body in a storeroom.

The police said that Sonu conducted the murder following orders from Grewal, who also promised him to pay Rs 50 lakh for the crime.

According to the officers, the motive behind the murder was financial. The victim had transferred a substantial sum of money to Grewal before her visit.

The police continue to investigate the matter, and Grewal, who is absconding, has been named as a suspect in the case.

A further investigation into the case is underway.

Anushka Vats

Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her...Read More

Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her...

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