FBI raises reward to $1 million for Indian fugitive wanted for wife's murder in US

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel, an Indian man accused of murdering his wife Palak Patel at a Dunkin' store in Hanover, Maryland in 2015. Patel has been on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List since 2017.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has increased the reward to up to $1 million for information leading to the arrest of an Indian man Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel, a fugitive accused of killing his wife inside a Dunkin’ store in Anne Arundel County, Maryland in 2015.

Patel who is originally from Gujarat in India, is on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List, has remained on the run for nearly 11 years after the killing of his wife, Palak Patel, at the store where they both worked.

Authorities announced Tuesday that the reward has increased from $250,000 to $1 million, which is now the standard reward amount offered for fugitives on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list.

"We hope this $1 million reward attracts greater attention to our tireless search for Bhadreshkumar Patel and leads to tips we need to provide justice for Palak Patel, who was brutally murdered by her husband," Jimmy Paul, special agent in charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, told CBS news.

Investigators told CBS news that the couple had been working the night shift at a Dunkin’ store located at 7567 Arundel Mills Boulevard in Hanover, Maryland on April 12, 2015.

Authorities said the couple had been arguing about Palak Patel’s desire to return to India. She was speaking with family members on the phone when the disagreement escalated.