Punjab cops nabs two murder suspects as US feportation flight lands in India

Punjab: A United States military aircraft carrying 119 Indian deportees landed in Amritsar on Saturday, marking the second batch of Indians expelled under the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. Among them, two individuals were immediately arrested upon arrival by the Punjab Police, as they were wanted in a murder case in Patiala. The suspects, identified as cousins Sandeep and Pradeep, were wanted in connection with a murder case registered in 2023 in Rajpura town, Patiala district. Authorities confirmed that both had been declared proclaimed offenders and upon arrival at Sri Guru Ramdas Airport, they were taken into custody by a team from Patiala police.

Murder case and legal charges

According to police officials, Sandeep and Pradeep were booked under Sections 302, 307, 323, 506, 148, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for their alleged involvement in a murder case registered on June 26, 2023. However, police sources revealed that a Look Out Circular (LOC) had not been issued against the two suspects before their deportation.

Mass deportation of Indian migrants

The deportation is part of the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration, which has led to the repatriation of several Indian nationals. Officials disclosed that out of the 119 deportees, a majority—67 individuals—were from Punjab, while 33 were from Haryana. The remaining deportees hailed from Gujarat (8), Uttar Pradesh (3), Goa (2), Maharashtra (2), Rajasthan (2), Himachal Pradesh (1), and Jammu & Kashmir (1).

Punjab CM opposes Amritsar as a ‘Deportation center’

At Amritsar Airport, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his discontent over the continued landing of deportation flights in Amritsar. "Do not make our holy city a deport center. Amritsar is known for the Golden Temple, Durgiana Mandir, Ram Tirath Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, and Gobindgarh Fort," Mann said. He questioned whether the US would allow deportation flights to land in Vatican City if deportees hailed from there. This marks the second US deportation flight to India this month, with the first batch of 104 deportees arriving in Amritsar on February 5.