Manjit Singh Bedi Returned to U.S. to Face SNAP Charges

Manjit Singh Bedi has been returned to the United States after his arrest in India in September, where he is accused of defrauding the federal food assistance program of at least $600,000. The FBI announced his return on October 15, and federal officials said he faces charges connected to alleged fraud involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The Department of Justice said Bedi was brought back from India on Wednesday night. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said Bedi was scheduled to appear in the Western District of Washington on Friday, October 16. Floyd said prosecutors would ask the court to detain him pending trial, citing what he described as Bedi’s capacity and willingness to flee. Federal authorities allege the scheme took place from approximately 2024 to 2025 through a grocery store Bedi operated in Tacoma, Washington. The FBI said he allegedly used SNAP recipients’ electronic benefit transfer cards to provide cash instead of eligible food purchases and kept roughly half of the benefits. The allegations have not been proven in court. According to the FBI, Bedi was indicted on wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud charges and was released...