Ex-RAW Official Vikas Yadav Wanted by FBI in Plot to Murder Khalistani Terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
The US Justice Department has charged former Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav with orchestrating a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist residing in New York. Yadav, along with co-conspirator Nikhil Gupta, hired an individual to execute the killing for $100,000 in 2023, but the assassin turned out to be an FBI informant.
The plan was linked to tensions following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Khalistani terrorist, in Canada. The plot was postponed to avoid disrupting Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US. The Indian government has confirmed Yadav is no longer employed by them, while Gupta was extradited to the US and pleaded not guilty.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Yadav is no longer employed by the Indian government. US-India cooperation is ongoing in the investigation, and India rejected a civil suit filed by Pannun against its government.
The assassination plot was paused to avoid fallout during PM Modi’s visit to the US, and a civil suit filed by Pannun has led to a US court summons involving the Indian government and top officials.
| Key Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Charges Against Vikash Yadav | – Orchestrating a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist. – Hired a hitman for $100,000, but the assassin turned out to be an FBI informant. |
| Co-Conspirator | – Nikhil Gupta, involved in facilitating communication between Yadav and the informant. |
| Background of the Plot | – Linked to tensions after the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. – The plot was postponed to avoid disruption during PM Modi’s visit to the US. |
| Charges Against Vikash Yadav | – Murder-for-hire: Hired a hitman for $100,000 to kill Pannun. – Money Laundering: Charged with laundering money related to the assassination plot. |
| Involvement of Nikhil Gupta | – Extradition: Gupta was arrested in Prague and extradited to the US. – Plea: He pleaded not guilty. |
| Indian Government’s Response | – Confirmed Yadav is no longer employed by the Indian government. – Ongoing US-India cooperation in the investigation. – India rejected a civil suit filed by Pannun against the Indian government. |
| Diplomatic Context | – Assassination plot was paused during PM Modi’s US visit. – Pannun filed a civil suit leading to a US court summons involving Indian officials. |
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