(Image source from: ABC15 Arizona)

An Indian origin man has been pronounced guilty by the United Court for killing his estranged wife 12 years ago when she asked for an official separation, according to media reports.

The 44-year-old Avtar Grewal, who was extradited from India to the U.S. in 2011, on Monday was convicted of first-degree murder by the jury, for strangulating and submerging his 30-year-old wife Navneet Kaur in a bathing tub in the Phoenix suburb of Ahwatukee in 2007, the Arizona Republic reported.

His sentencing is scheduled for August 23.

The two got married in India in 2005 but had a long-distance relationship with Grewal living in Canada while Navneet Kaur in the United States.  

Prosecutors told the court that Grewal showed his "true colors" in a flash after he married Navneet Kaur.

Grewal would call his wife multiple times to find out her whereabouts, according to prosecutors. When she didn't answer the phone, he would call her office and other people.

Defense attorneys argued that Grewal put his wife to death on accident and then made multiple attempts to take his own life. However, prosecutors argued the murder was planned and Grewal had a pattern of controlling behavior.

During their marriage, Navneet Kaur was in the need for heart surgery and chose to be treated in the United States. However, Grewal wanted her to have the operation in Canada.

Prosecutor Juan Martinez said the surgery was important to the trial because it showed Navneet Kaur cared about herself, while Avtar Grewal only cared about what was best for him.

Around the time of her death, Navneet Kaur told Grewal over the phone that she wanted a divorce. Avtar Grewal traveled from Canada to her Ahwatukee home so they could discuss it.

Navneet Kaur picked up Grewal from the airport and took him to her house.

Navneet Kaur reiterated her desire of wanting a divorce and confessed to cheating on Grewal, according to defense attorneys. The couple began to argue and it escalated to the two slapping each other, according to the defense attorneys.

He chocked her and then submerged her in a bathing tub of water. He was arrested by international authorities and extradited to the United States, the daily said.

The defense says while there was a fight between the two, Navneet Kaur's death was not premeditated.

By Sowmya Sangam