FBI-Wanted Manjit Bedi Arrested in Jalandhar
Punjab Police have arrested Manjit Singh Bedi, an India-born naturalised US citizen wanted by American authorities over an alleged $600,000 fraud involving the United States government’s food assistance programme. The 65-year-old was apprehended in Jalandhar after reportedly fleeing the US through Canada earlier this year.
Manjit Bedi Arrested in Jalandhar
Bedi was arrested from the Paragpur area of Jalandhar on September 4. Punjab Police said he had been placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list and carried a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Police said Bedi had allegedly travelled to India via Canada in April 2026 while attempting to evade legal proceedings in the United States.
FBI Alleges $600,000 SNAP Benefits Fraud
US authorities accuse Bedi of involvement in a scheme that allegedly defrauded the government of at least $600,000 between March 2024 and June 2025.
Bedi operated the Asian Grocery Store in Tacoma, Washington, where customers could use Electronic Benefit Transfer cards under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Investigators allege he swiped beneficiaries’ cards and provided cash instead of eligible food purchases while retaining around half of the proceeds.
US Arrest Warrant Issued After Bedi Fled
Bedi had been indicted in the US on wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud charges. He was reportedly ordered to surrender his passport and remain in Washington while his case proceeded.
Authorities allege he violated those conditions by crossing into Canada and subsequently travelling to India. A federal arrest warrant was issued on May 21.
Separately, Jalandhar Police said Bedi was arrested in connection with a case registered at Rama Mandi Police Station on May 16 under cheating, criminal breach of trust and Punjab travel regulation provisions.
