US bride-to-be killed for money in Punjab; body burned, ashes dumped

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.

Also read: US woman, 71, flies to Punjab to marry her 75-year-old love; murdered by contract killers ‘hired by groom’

How chilling murder plot led to Ludhiana-based NRI accused in 'US bride-to-be killed in Punjab' case

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.