Jalandhar: Punjab Police have arrested 65-year-old Jalandhar resident Manjit Singh Bedi, who was recently placed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) wanted list over an alleged US government benefits fraud worth around $600,000, approximately ₹5.6 crore.
According to Punjab Police, Bedi allegedly operated an Asian grocery store in Tacoma, Washington, where customers used government-issued Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to access benefits under the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Investigators allege that instead of providing food items against the benefits available on the cards, Bedi would swipe customers’ EBT cards, give them roughly half of the benefit amount in cash and retain the remaining amount. The alleged scheme caused losses of around $600,000 to the US government.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said Bedi had been placed on the FBI’s wanted list in connection with the case. The FBI had announced a reward of up to $150,000, around ₹1.4 crore, for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Bedi reportedly moved to the United States in 2019, where his two sons are settled. After US authorities issued a notice in April directing him to appear before the concerned court, he allegedly left the country and travelled to India through Canada.
The FBI said a federal arrest warrant was issued against Bedi on May 21 by a US district court after he was accused of violating conditions imposed during his supervision. He had earlier been indicted on allegations of wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud and had been allowed to remain out of custody subject to conditions, including surrendering his passport and remaining within Washington state.
Jalandhar Commissioner of Police Satinder Singh said police are examining Bedi’s international travel records, financial transactions, possible associates and other links to the alleged overseas fraud.
Punjab Police also said Bedi is connected to a separate travel-fraud case registered at Rama Mandi police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act. Authorities are verifying information received from US agencies regarding his alleged role in the SNAP fraud.
