Jalandhar, September 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
In a major breakthrough, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police have apprehended Manjit Singh Bedi, a naturalised US citizen wanted in the United States in connection with an alleged benefits fraud scheme and for whom the FBI had offered a reward of up to $150,000.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav announced Bedi’s apprehension on Friday, saying the fugitive had allegedly fled to India through Canada in April 2026 in an attempt to evade US law enforcement.
According to details of the US case, Bedi is accused of involvement in a scheme that allegedly caused losses of at least $600,000 to the United States government between March 2024 and June 2025.
Bedi, who was born in India and later became a naturalised US citizen, operated Asian Grocery Store, a small grocery business in Tacoma, Washington.
The allegations relate to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), under which eligible beneficiaries use Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to purchase food.
US authorities allege that instead of supplying eligible food items against some transactions, Bedi would swipe beneficiaries’ EBT cards, provide them cash and retain half of the proceeds.
He was subsequently indicted on charges relating to wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud.
Allegedly Fled US After Court Restrictions
Following his indictment, Bedi was permitted to appear before the court without being placed under arrest. He was, however, ordered to surrender his passport and remain in Washington state.
Despite those restrictions, he allegedly crossed the US border into Canada by road before subsequently making his way to India.
A federal arrest warrant was issued against Bedi on May 21, 2026, by the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma after he was charged with violations of conditions of supervision.
The FBI had offered a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Bedi, whose date of birth is listed as January 11, 1961, was believed by US authorities to be residing in India.
DGP Says Punjab Police Tracking Transnational Fugitives
Announcing the arrest, DGP Gaurav Yadav said Bedi had reportedly figured on the US list of most-wanted fraudsters in connection with the SNAP benefits fraud case.
“Bedi was reportedly placed on the US Most-Wanted Fraudsters list in connection with a SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits fraud case in the USA and had allegedly fled to India via Canada in April 2026 to evade the law,” the DGP said.
Yadav said Punjab Police remained committed to tracking fugitives and disrupting transnational organised crime networks so that accused persons could not escape justice merely by crossing international borders.
Further legal proceedings in relation to Bedi’s apprehension and the US case are expected to follow in accordance with the applicable law.
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