FBI Declares Vikas Yadav Wanted in Gurpatwant Pannun Murder Plot: What are charges against
the United States government announced charges against Vikash Yadav, a former Indian intelligence officer, for allegedly masterminding a failed assassination plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent advocate for Khalistan and a dual citizen of the US and Canada. This indictment marks a significant escalation in tensions between India and the US, especially in the context of ongoing diplomatic disputes involving Canada.
Main Points
Full Details of the Charges
The US Justice Department has charged Yadav with murder-for-hire, conspiracy, and money laundering. The indictment states that Yadav coordinated with Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national who has already been extradited to the US and is facing similar charges. According to court documents, the conspiracy began in May 2023 when Yadav allegedly recruited Gupta to carry out the assassination in New York City.
Yadav is accused of providing Gupta with detailed information about Pannun’s whereabouts, including his home address and daily routines. The plan reportedly included hiring a hitman for $100,000. However, unbeknownst to Gupta, the individual he contacted was actually an undercover agent from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Background on Vikash Yadav
Vikash Yadav, 39, previously worked with India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and held the title of Senior Field Officer. His responsibilities included security management and intelligence operations. He is also known to have served with India’s Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as an Assistant Commandant. The indictment indicates that Yadav remains at large in India, although US authorities are pursuing his extradition.
The Assassination Plot
The plot to kill Pannun gained urgency after another Khalistani separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was murdered in Canada in June 2023. Following Nijjar’s death, Gupta allegedly expressed that there was “now no need to wait” for Pannun’s assassination.
The indictment reveals that Yadav instructed Gupta to delay any actions until after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in June 2023 to avoid diplomatic fallout during this high-profile event.
In June 2023, Yadav and Gupta made an initial payment of $15,000 towards the assassination plot. This transaction occurred in Manhattan shortly before Modi’s visit. The FBI later discovered that this money was part of a murder-for-hire arrangement that involved an undercover informant posing as a hitman.
Reactions from India
In response to these developments, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Yadav is no longer associated with the Indian government. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the individual named in the US indictment is no longer employed by India but did not clarify if this referred specifically to Yadav.
The Indian government has distanced itself from the alleged plot and asserted that it does not engage in extraterritorial killings. They are reportedly conducting their own investigation into the matter while expressing willingness to assist US authorities in their ongoing investigation.
Ex-RAW official declared wanted by FBI in Gurpatwant Pannun case. pic.twitter.com/LQc4FNJ4v8
— Parteek Singh Mahal (@parteekmahal) October 18, 2024
Diplomatic Implications
This case complicates diplomatic relations between India and both the US and Canada. It follows accusations from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding Indian agents’ involvement in Nijjar’s murder on Canadian soil. Both nations have expelled diplomats amid rising tensions over these allegations.
The US authorities have made it clear that they will not tolerate foreign nationals targeting its citizens on American soil. FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized this stance in his statements regarding the case against Yadav.
As investigations continue into Vikash Yadav’s alleged involvement in this assassination plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the implications for international relations between India, the US, and Canada remain significant. The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding issues of sovereignty and national security within these nations.
