It was supposed to be a new chapter in love and companionship but ended up being a chilling tale of betrayal and murder. A 71-year-old US citizen of Indian origin, who had flown all the way from US to Punjab in order to marry the man she loved, was allegedly killed in Kila Raipur village in Ludhiana, in July — her body burnt and ashes disposed of in a drain. The conspiracy, police said, was masterminded by none other than her fiance.
The victim, Rupinder Kaur Pandher, had come to India earlier this year, full of hope for a marriage with 75-year-old UK-based NRI Charanjit Singh Grewal. The two had reportedly known each other for months, visited religious and tourist sites together in Punjab, and posed for photographs at prominent Sikh shrines during their courtship. But instead of the wedding she anticipated, Rupinder met a gruesome end.
According to the investigators, Grewal lured Rupinder to India with promises of marriage. She had even transferred large sums of money — allegedly meant for wedding arrangements — into the accounts of Grewal, his brother and their associates.A dream wedding, a night of horror But behind the veil of affection lay a sinister plan.
Police alleged that Grewal orchestrated her murder, hiring Sukhjeet Singh alias Sonu, a resident of Malha Patti in Kila Raipur, to carry out the killing. In return, Sonu was promised Rs 50 lakh.
In his confession to police, Sonu admitted that on the night of July 12-13, he killed Rupinder Kaur and attempted to obliterate all traces of the crime. Using diesel, he allegedly burned her body inside a storeroom at his house, later cooling the remains with water all night, and dumping the ashes in a nearby drain at Lehra village. Partial skeletal remains have since been recovered and sent for forensic testing.
The murder may have remained hidden longer if not for Rupinder’s sister, Kamal Kaur Khairah, who lives in the US. Alarm bells rang when Rupinder’s phone went off just days after she travelled to Ludhiana. Unable to reach her for four consecutive days, Kamal contacted the US Embassy in India on July 28 and reported her sister missing. Her persistent efforts ensured that the matter did not slip into oblivion. The Embassy pressed Punjab Police to act. Weeks later, a friend informed the Khairah family of Sonu’s detention by Dehlon police, finally confirming their worst fears — that Rupinder had been murdered.
Speaking over the phone, Kamal revealed that Grewal had convinced her sister to come to Kila Raipur, promising to arrive from the UK for the wedding. “Instead, she ended up transferring money to his accounts. He betrayed her trust in the most horrific way,” she said, her voice breaking.
A status report filed by Dehlon SHO Sukhjinder Singh stated that Sonu had confessed to conspiring with Grewal for the murder in exchange for Rs 50 lakh. Police have also recovered incriminating evidence from Sonu’s residence.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Harjinder Singh Gill confirmed that Grewal, originally from Mehma Singh Wala village but now residing in England, has been named the prime suspect. “The victim was lured under the pretext of marriage and murdered for financial gain. This case is not just a killing but a shocking betrayal of trust and human decency,” ACP Gill said.
Police said that the sequence of events pointed to financial motive. Investigators recovered evidence indicating Rupinder had transferred substantial sums to accounts linked to Grewal and his brother; the transfers, the police believed, were made under the impression that money was meant for wedding expenses. “Investigations so far indicate financial gain was the primary motive,” ACP Gill said, adding that pieces of physical evidence recovered from Sonu’s house are being forensically examined.
Efforts are now on to gather further evidence, trace all financial transfers, and formally secure Grewal’s arrest through international cooperation. His brother and other associates named in the FIR remain absconding.
Until just weeks before her disappearance, Rupinder had been pictured smiling alongside Grewal at gurdwaras and tourist spots across Punjab - perhaps convinced that she was about to start a new life. Family members said that she was optimistic and deeply invested in the marriage. But her love story turned into a grim reminder of exploitation, where her trust, emotions, and savings became tools in a calculated crime.
Investigators maintained that the probe is going on. Police have registered a case, recovered material evidence from the accused’s residence, and are continuing searches to locate any remaining remains and corroborative documents. Charges will follow once forensic reports and the full investigative dossier allow prosecutors to lay out the alleged conspiracy in court.