Jalandhar, September 4 (Daily Kiran) : Manjeet Singh Bedi, an Indian-American citizen, has been arrested in Jalandhar by Punjab police. He was listed on the FBI’s “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list for allegedly committing fraud worth millions in connection with the U.S. government’s food assistance program.
Punjab’s Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, confirmed that Bedi’s arrest was part of an operation targeting international fugitives and organized crime. The FBI had announced a reward of $150,000 for information leading to his capture.
According to the FBI, Bedi operated a grocery store named “Asian Grocery Store” in Tacoma, Washington. He was authorized to provide food supplies to beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Investigators allege that instead of supplying food, Bedi began swiping beneficiaries’ electronic benefit transfer cards and giving them cash instead, pocketing nearly 50% of the funds. From March 2024 to June 2025, this alleged scheme reportedly caused the U.S. government a loss of at least $600,000.
After the case came to light, Bedi faced charges of wire fraud and SNAP benefit fraud. Initially, a U.S. court granted him conditional relief, which included surrendering his passport and remaining within Washington state. However, authorities claim he violated these conditions and crossed the U.S.-Canada border by road before returning to India in April 2026, where he reportedly tried to evade law enforcement.
Following the breach of court conditions, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Bedi on May 21, 2026, by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The FBI intensified its search for him after adding him to its list of wanted fraud suspects.
Post-arrest, Punjab police are now coordinating with U.S. agencies to initiate the legal process. Officials believe that the extradition process for Bedi to the United States may begin in the coming days.
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