Key Takeaways

• Sandeep and Pradeep Singh were arrested for murder upon deportation from the US to India on February 16, 2025.
• They were among 116 deportees; many reported mistreatment, including shackling during a 66-hour US military flight.
• Another deportation flight carrying 112 Indians, including 75 from Punjab and Haryana, is scheduled to arrive on February 18.

In a significant development, two cousins wanted for murder in India, Sandeep Singh (alias Sunny) and Pradeep Singh, were arrested upon their deportation from the United States. They were taken into custody on February 16, 2025, at Sri Guru Ramdas International Airport in Amritsar ??. The arrests were part of a larger group of 116 illegal immigrants deported from the US.

The Case and the Accused

The cousins, originally from Rajpura in Punjab ??, had been declared proclaimed offenders in connection with a murder case filed on June 26, 2023. The charges included serious offenses such as murder, attempted murder, criminal intimidation, and rioting under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. To evade arrest, Sandeep and Pradeep Singh utilized the “donkey route,” an illegal migration network commonly used for undocumented travel to the United States.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Patiala, Nanak Singh, confirmed these arrests. He revealed that a police team led by the Station House Officer of Rajpura police station apprehended the duo at the airport. Interestingly, no Look Out Circular had been issued against them, making this capture notable.

Details of the Deportation Flight

The deportation was carried out using a US military aircraft, the C-17 Globemaster III, which landed in Amritsar ?? late on February 16. This was the second such flight organized within two weeks. The deportation reflects a stricter stance on immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration since his return to office. Of the 116 deportees, 65 were from Punjab, 33 came from Haryana, and the rest belonged to various other Indian states.

Most deportees were young men aged between 18 and 30 who had taken immense financial risks to migrate to the US illegally. Families of these individuals, including those of Sandeep and Pradeep Singh, reportedly spent large sums of money – up to Rs 1.20 crore (around $144,000 USD in total) – in trying to secure a better life abroad. However, for these families, the outcome has been nothing short of disastrous.

Allegations of Mistreatment

Several deportees have spoken out about the conditions they faced during the deportation process. Reports suggest that many, including Sandeep and Pradeep Singh, were shackled and handcuffed for the entirety of the 66-hour flight. This has sparked widespread outrage among human rights organizations and Indian political leaders.

Further controversy arose when Sikh deportees reported their turbans had been removed before boarding. Sikh men consider wearing a turban an essential part of their faith, making this act highly disrespectful and a violation of religious freedom. The deportees arrived in Amritsar bareheaded, drawing sharp criticism for the manner in which their dignity was allegedly compromised.

The Human and Economic Cost

The financial toll of failed migration journeys is immense for families in states like Punjab and Haryana. Many individuals resort to selling land or taking out significant loans to pay intermediaries and smugglers. Once deported, they return with crushing debts and without any job prospects to recover their financial losses. One deportee confided, “I spent my family’s life savings to go to the US. Now, I am back to zero.”

Mass deportations like this have highlighted the urgent need to address the underlying causes of illegal immigration. Factors such as unemployment, poverty, and the lack of access to legal pathways for migration contribute to the desperation driving individuals to take dangerous and illegal routes.

Other Arrests Linked to the Flight

In the days following the cousins’ arrest, more deportees from the same flight faced legal action. On February 17, Gurwinder Singh, 26, from Ludhiana ??, was arrested by Meharban Police in connection with a snatching case dating back to 2021. His family refuted the charges, claiming they were politically motivated due to his previous involvement with the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar).

On the same day, Haryana Police arrested another deportee, Sahil Verma, from Pehowa in Kurukshetra ??. Verma faced charges of molesting and threatening a minor girl in May 2022. According to reports, he fled to Vietnam before making his way through Italy and finally entering the US illegally via the Mexico border just weeks before his arrest.

Criticism of Authorities and Growing Protests

The Punjab government has faced backlash for its inadequate response to the deportation. Punjab Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal was present at the airport to greet the deportees. He expressed disappointment over the treatment meted out to the deportees. The Punjab government arranged for its citizens to return home using buses. However, the Haryana government sent prison buses to collect deportees, sparking further criticism.

Additionally, the Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) has staged protests condemning the treatment of deportees. PYC president Mohit Mohindra called out both state and central authorities for failing to safeguard the dignity of deported individuals. He also demanded strict action against fraudulent travel agents operating in the region who exploit vulnerable families and push them toward illegal migration.

Broader Context and Future Implications

The cases of Sandeep Singh, Pradeep Singh, and others like Gurwinder Singh and Sahil Verma underscore the importance of global cooperation between immigration enforcement agencies and law enforcement. They also bring to the forefront the harsh realities of illegal immigration and the consequences faced by those seeking escape through undocumented channels.

The US government’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration has been a hallmark of its policy under Donald Trump. However, the deportation process has drawn heavy criticism for its handling and treatment of individuals. In contrast, human rights advocates argue for reforms that emphasize humane practices.

Looking ahead, another deportation flight carrying 112 Indians is set to arrive on February 18. Of these, 30 are from Punjab ?? and 45 are from Haryana ??. As the deportation efforts continue, both the US and Indian governments face growing pressure to strike a balance between enforcing immigration laws and ensuring that migrants are treated with dignity.

Final Thoughts

The arrests of Sandeep Singh and Pradeep Singh highlight an unsettling reality—a world where crimes can no longer be hidden by borders. But their story also shines a spotlight on the larger issues tied to illegal immigration, from economic despair to human rights violations. As countries work to address these challenges, the call for fair and humane treatment of every individual remains as relevant as ever.

For readers seeking credible immigration data or updates, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides comprehensive resources here.

According to VisaVerge.com, the situation surrounding these deportations is far from resolved. The debate over immigration laws and practices continues, with Indian and US officials under scrutiny to handle similar cases effectively while respecting international human rights standards.

Learn Today

Donkey route → An illegal migration network used for undocumented travel, often involving dangerous routes and human smuggling.
Proclaimed offenders → Individuals publicly declared as fugitives by a court due to their involvement in serious criminal offenses.
Look Out Circular (LOC) → A notice issued to prevent an individual from leaving or entering a country due to legal concerns.
Deportation → The act of expelling someone from a country, typically due to violations of immigration or other legal regulations.
Human rights advocates → Individuals or organizations that work to ensure the protection and fair treatment of people’s fundamental rights and freedoms.

This Article in a Nutshell

Two cousins wanted for murder in India were deported from the U.S. and arrested in Amritsar. Using an illegal migration route, they sought freedom but faced justice instead. Their case highlights illegal immigration’s risks, from financial ruin to human rights breaches, urging reforms for safer, legal pathways while protecting dignity worldwide.
— By VisaVerge.com

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