23 hrs ago
FBI Fugitive Arrested in Punjab After Alleged Welfare Scam
Police in Punjab arrested Manjeet Singh Bedi, a 65-year-old American citizen.
US authorities allegedly wanted him for misusing government food-benefit cards.
Investigators say he exchanged some customers’ benefits for cash and kept the rest.
The reported loss was more than 5.3 crore rupees, or about $600,000.
Police say Bedi closed his grocery store and left the United States after auditors discovered the scheme.
He allegedly traveled through Canada before returning to India.
In Jalandhar, he reportedly opened an unregistered travel business for people seeking to move abroad.
Indian police have charged him with fraud-related offenses and are checking his records.
Authorities in India and the United States are discussing possible extradition procedures.
Manjeet Singh Bedi, 65, was arrested near Paragpur in Jalandhar, Punjab.
US authorities allegedly wanted Bedi over a $600,000 welfare-benefits scam in Washington state.
Police say he fled the United States through Canada in April and returned to India.
After returning, he allegedly operated an unregistered travel agency and collected money from aspiring migrants.
Bedi faces fraud and breach-of-trust charges in India while police examine extradition and his finances.
- Who
- Manjeet Singh Bedi, 65, an American citizen, was arrested by Jalandhar police.
- What
- He was arrested over allegations involving a US welfare-benefits scam and an unregistered travel agency in Punjab.
- Where
- He was arrested near Paragpur in Jalandhar, Punjab; the alleged welfare scam involved a grocery store in Tacoma, Washington state.
- When
- Police say he fled the United States in April; the arrest occurred after he returned to India. The alleged US scheme operated for 15 months.
- Why
- US authorities allegedly sought him over welfare-benefit fraud, while Indian police accuse him of fraud and breach of trust connected to his local travel business.
Key facts
- Suspect
- Manjeet Singh Bedi, 65
- Arrest location
- Near Paragpur, Jalandhar, Punjab
- US allegation
- Authorities allege a $600,000 welfare-benefits scam
- Reported government loss
- More than 5.3 crore rupees over 15 months
- Travel route
- Police say Bedi used Canada as a transit route before returning to India
- Local business
- An allegedly unregistered travel agency serving people seeking to go abroad
- Current status
- Bedi remains in custody while police investigate finances and extradition procedures
Quotes
Satinder Singh
Jalandhar Police Commissioner
“The suspect was trying to blend into the local migration trade after escaping foreign jurisdiction. We are now coordinating with federal agencies regarding his extradition processes and verifying his travel credentials.”
thestatesman.com
An officer involved in verifying the US operational details
Officer assisting with verification of the alleged US fraud scheme
“He never sold groceries. If a customer had $200 in benefits, he swiped the card, gave them $100 in cash, and pocketed the rest.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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