FBI Most Wanted Fraudster Manjit Bedi Sent to US From Punjabਐੱਫਬੀਆਈ ਦਾ ਮੋਸਟ ਵਾਂਟੇਡ ਮਨਜੀਤ ਬੇਦੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਤੋਂ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਹਵਾਲੇ

Manjit Singh Bedi, a 64-year-old grocery-store owner from Washington state who was arrested in Punjab last month, has been sent back to the United States to face charges that he cheated a federal food-aid programme of at least $600,000. The US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington said he arrived in Seattle on Wednesday night, October 14, and was due in court in Tacoma on Friday. FBI Director Kash Patel announced the return on X.

Who is Manjit Singh Bedi?

ThePrint describes Bedi as originally from Jalandhar district and a naturalised US citizen who ran the Asian Grocery Store in Tacoma. The Justice Department says he lives in Kent, Washington. He was indicted in April on six counts of wire fraud and pleaded not guilty on April 22, according to prosecutors. Within about a week, they say, he had left the United States for India, travelling through Canada.

What is he accused of?

Prosecutors allege that between March 2024 and June 2025 Bedi used the store's payment terminal to run food-stamp (SNAP) benefit cards for sales that never happened. In the alleged scheme he handed the cardholder roughly half the value in cash and kept the rest, for example paying $100 on a card holding $200. The FBI estimates he took in at least $600,000 this way. These are allegations from the indictment; none has been tested in court, and Bedi has pleaded not guilty. Wire fraud and SNAP fraud each carry up to 20 years in prison.

How was he caught in Punjab?

The FBI put Bedi on its "Most Wanted Fraudsters" list on September 3, with a reward of up to $150,000 for information. Within hours, the New Indian Express and ThePrint report, Punjab Police took him into custody in Jalandhar. ThePrint says he was booked under the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita covering cheating and criminal breach of trust. The US announcement did not explain how the handover was legally carried out, and the New Indian Express noted that detail was not given.

What did US officials say?

Patel said Bedi was one of six Most Wanted Fraudsters captured since the list was created three months ago, and that the FBI has secured 260 extraditions and removals in 20 months. Acting US Attorney Neil Floyd said prosecutors would ask the court to keep Bedi in custody before trial, because he "has demonstrated he has the will and the means to flee". USDA Inspector General John Walk said Bedi "stole from Americans who truly needed help".

What happens next?

Bedi was due for his first appearance in the Tacoma federal court on Friday, October 16, 2026. Prosecutors are seeking detention until trial. The charges remain allegations until a court decides them.

Why does this matter in Punjab?

The case is one of several in which the FBI has publicly sought fugitives with Punjab links, and it shows Indian and US agencies cooperating on a fast return. Many Punjabi families run small shops across North America, which is why a fraud case like this draws attention in the community.

Was Bedi arrested in India or the US?

He was arrested in India by Punjab Police in early September and then returned to the US, where he was taken into federal custody.

How much money is involved?

Prosecutors allege at least $600,000 (about Rs 5.6 crore) in SNAP benefits was fraudulently drawn between March 2024 and June 2025.

Is Bedi guilty?

Not yet established. He has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud, and the allegations will be tested in a US court.