Reflecting the globalisation of the practice of ‘supari’ (contract killing), the investigation has revealed that nearly 100 Britons of Indian origin may have fallen victims to such murders every year.

The Scotland Yard and the Foreign Office are aware of the practice.

The targets reportedly include women killed for family honour or prosperous businessmen for money.

Focus on Punjab

Most of such murders take place in Punjab, the investigation reported on the BBC Asian Network, titled ‘Passport to Murder’, revealed.

It said that family or business associates were lured to the sub-continent, where contract killers can be reportedly hired for 500 pounds. Britain-born Jassi Khangura, a member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, has investigated the trend which he believes claims the lives of between 50 and 100 overseas Indians every year.

He said most of the killings are carried out in Punjab and alleged police corruption and bureaucratic or legal loopholes mean the perpetrators are seldom tried. Poonam Taneja, who reported the investigation, said: “These armchair murder plots are hatched in the living rooms of Britain and executed mainly in the rural Indian state of Punjab”.

Commander Steve Allen of the Metropolitan Police Service warned: “We have increased our knowledge of and our confidence in dealing with murders of British citizens overseas.
“We will follow you, we will pursue the evidence and we will bring you to justice wherever in the world you commit these offences.”

Six persons missing

The Foreign Office says six British nationals are currently missing in India. Some victims’ families are now turning to authorities in the United Kingdom for assistance, the report added.