Washington: The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has significantly increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of Indian national Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel, who is accused of brutally murdering his wife in 2015.
The reward, earlier set at $250,000, has now been increased to $1 million (around ₹8.2 crore). Patel, 35, is listed among the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives”.
According to investigators, the incident took place on April 12, 2015, at a donut shop in Maryland where Patel and his wife, 21-year-old Palak Patel, were working. Authorities allege that Patel stabbed his wife multiple times, leading to her death.
Investigators said Palak wanted to return to India after their visa expired, but Bhadreshkumar was reportedly opposed to the move.
After the killing, Patel fled the scene and managed to escape before police arrived. He was last seen at New York Penn Station in New Jersey. Since then, there has been no confirmed trace of him.
The FBI has warned that Patel should be considered armed and dangerous. Authorities have urged the public to share any information that could help locate and arrest him.
