Two Punjabi men were arrested at Amritsar airport on the night of February 15, 2025, after being deported from the United States. Police said they were wanted in a 2023 murder case.
Cousins Sandeep Singh and Pradeep Singh were originally from Rajpura in Punjab’s Patiala district.
They were among 119 Indians deported by the United States on a C-17 military aircraft that landed at 11:35 pm. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh confirmed their arrest.
A murder case was registered against Sandeep and four others in Rajpura in June 2023.
According to a complaint by a street vendor at the time, a group engaged in a physical altercation involving swords with two individuals, resulting in one person being killed.
During the investigation, Pradeep was also named in the case.
The Rajpura police station sent a team, led by the station house officer (SHO), to arrest them at the airport.
Patiala Police have initiated legal proceedings against both men. Officials also revealed that their criminal records in the US had surfaced before their deportation.
The Punjabi men allegedly fled to the US via an illegal route, spending around Rs. 1.2 Crore.
This comes after the US deported a second batch of Indian nationals suspected of entering the United States illegally.
Of the 119 deportees, 67 were from Punjab, 33 were from Haryana, eight were from Gujarat, three were from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Goa and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
This was the second deportation under Donald Trump’s administration after a similar batch was sent back on February 5. Authorities have not disclosed details of the charges against the other deportees.
The arrest of the two accused has drawn attention to the movement of fugitives abroad.
Punjab Police have intensified efforts to track criminals attempting to flee the country. Law enforcement agencies are expected to investigate further links to criminal networks operating across borders.
Meanwhile, families of several deportees gathered outside the airport, seeking clarity on their legal status.
Many claimed their relatives had left India in search of better opportunities but ended up in legal trouble abroad. Officials assured that each case would be reviewed according to Indian laws.
The deportations are part of a broader effort by the US to address illegal immigration.
Punjab has been among the Indian states with the highest number of illegal migrants attempting to enter the US through unauthorised routes. Experts believe these actions could deter further illegal migration attempts from the region.
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