By-deepika lama

Ludhiana, Punjab | September 18, 2025

In a shocking case of deceit and murder, Rupinder Kaur Pandher, a 71-year-old US citizen of Indian origin, was brutally killed in Punjab after being lured from Seattle to India with false promises of marriage. The mastermind behind the crime? Charanjit Singh Grewal, a 75-year-old UK-based NRI she met on a matrimonial website. Here’s what we know about this chilling betrayal

A Dream Turned Nightmare

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Rupinder, a divorcee living in Seattle, connected with Grewal online in May 2024, hoping to find love. Grewal, who claimed to be divorced with children and grandchildren, visited her in the US, charming her with promises of a future together. By October, he introduced her to his village in Punjab during her brief visit to India. But the dream of marriage soon unraveled into a gruesome plot

In June 2025, Rupinder returned to India at Grewal’s invitation, believing they would tie the knot. She stayed with Sukhjit Singh, a court typist and Grewal’s long-time acquaintance, in Kila Raipur. Unbeknownst to her, Grewal had no intention of marrying her and was plotting her murder.

The Deadly Conspiracy

According to Punjab Police, Grewal grew reluctant to honor his marriage promises as Rupinder pressed him. To evade her demands, he allegedly roped in Sukhjit, convincing Rupinder to transfer her power of attorney to him for a supposed property dispute. She also transferred large sums of money into Sukhjit’s account, believing it was for wedding and legal expenses. Instead, Grewal and Sukhjit split the funds.

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Fearing Rupinder might expose their deceit or file a case for cheating, Grewal allegedly offered Sukhjit ₹50 lakh to kill her, promising to relocate him to the UK afterward. On July 12, 2025, Sukhjit carried out the horrific act, beating Rupinder to death with baseball bats in his home. To destroy evidence, he burned her body on a coal fire, packed her charred remains into four bags, and dumped them in a drain in Ghungrana villge.

The Investigation Unfolds

Rupinder’s family grew suspicious when her phone went offline by July 24. Her sister, Kamal Khairah, alerted the US Embassy in New Delhi, prompting a police investigation. Sukhjit attempted to mislead authorities by filing a missing person report on August 18, claiming Rupinder had left for Delhi airport to attend a wedding in Canada. However, his story unraveled under scrutiny.

Sukhjit confessed to the crime, leading police to recover Rupinder’s charred remains and her broken iPhone from the drain. He revealed Grewal’s role as the mastermind, though the promised ₹50 lakh payment was never made. Grewal, now absconding, is the key suspect, with police intensifying efforts to apprehend him.

A Betrayal of Trust

“This case is not just a murder but a horrifying betrayal of trust and human decency,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Harjinder Singh Gill. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the dangers of online matrimonial scams and the r, Betrayal, Matrimonial Scam
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