Freed of murder charges after 43 years, why is Indian-origin Subramanyam Vedam still not free in US?
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
After spending 43 years in prison for a murder conviction that was later overturned, Indian-origin man Subramanyam Vedam remains detained in federal immigration custody, facing deportation to India despite his exoneration. Freed from state prison in August 2025 after a Pennsylvania judge dismissed his conviction due to withheld ballistics evidence, Vedam was immediately taken into federal immigration custody. His case has sparked outrage, as he is now fighting a 1999 removal order tied to a decades-old drug felony.
Vedam’s legal ordeal began in the 1980s with a false murder conviction and a prior conviction for small-scale LSD delivery. Although his murder conviction was dismissed, federal authorities are using the drug felony as grounds for deportation, arguing it makes him a potential safety risk. Despite his exoneration and decades of rehabilitation, an immigration judge ruled that his detention is mandatory due to the felony charge, citing concerns about his release.
The Board of Immigration Appeals has agreed to hear Vedam’s appeal, citing “exceptional circumstances” related to his wrongful conviction and prolonged incarceration. His family, local officials, and advocates are campaigning for his release, emphasizing his rehabilitation, community contributions, and the injustice of his continued detention. The case highlights broader issues of wrongful convictions, immigration policies, and the challenges faced by individuals caught between the criminal justice and deportation systems.
This situation raises critical questions about justice and accountability in both state and federal systems. Vedam’s prolonged detention underscores the complexities of intersecting legal frameworks and the potential for systemic errors to linger long after convictions are overturned. His case also sheds light on the human cost of strict immigration policies, particularly when applied to individuals with deep ties to their communities and no direct links to serious criminal behavior in recent decades.
For readers interested in global justice and human rights, Vedam’s story is a stark reminder of the need for transparency, fairness, and accountability in legal systems. His battle for freedom continues as he fights to avoid deportation, while advocates argue that his decades of rehabilitation and exoneration should outweigh outdated convictions tied to minor offenses from decades ago. The outcome of his case could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled, offering hope for others wrongfully convicted and detained.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/19/2026