Ludhiana, Sep 18: In a horrifying incident, a 71-year-old woman, who arrived in Punjab from Seattle to marry a 75-year-old UK-based NRI, was allegedly killed and burnt to death.

The deceased, identified as Rupinder Kaur Pandher, a US citizen of Indian origin, came to Punjab at the invitation of the accused Charanjit Singh Grewal, an England-based non-residential Indian (NRI) originally from Ludhiana, who was to be her bridegroom.

Although the incident took place in July, the matter came to light after Ludhiana Police named Grewal in an FIR that was lodged over the disappearance of the victim.

A complaint was lodged by Pandher's sister, Kamal Kaur Khairah.

In her FIR, Kamal informed the US embassy in New Delhi that Pandher's phone remained switched off for about 4 days and are unable to trace her.

Later, on July 28, the US embassy in New Delhi ordered the local police to consider the matter.

Following the directive, an investigation was launched and police took Sukhjeet Singh Sonu of Malha Patti into custody, who killed the woman, on the instructions of Grewal.

During the interrogation, Sonu confessed to the crime and admitted to kill Pandher in his house and later burnt the body in the store room. However, police confirmed that Grewal, who is absconding, has been named as a suspect in the case.

Police said efforts are on to find the victim's skeletal remains and other evidence based on Sonu's disclosure.