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.

Charges Against Vikash Yadav

  • Murder-for-Hire: Yadav allegedly hired a hitman for $100,000 to kill Pannun.
  • Money Laundering: Yadav is also charged with money laundering related to the payment for the assassination plot.

Nikhil Gupta’s Involvement

  • Extradition: Gupta was arrested in Prague and extradited to the US, where he pleaded not guilty.
  • Co-Conspirator: Gupta worked with Yadav in planning the assassination and facilitated communication with the FBI informant.

Indian Government Response

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.

Diplomatic Context

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: Charges Against Vikash Yadav

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.

Piyush Shukla

Recent Posts

Kejriwal Launches Dr Ambedkar Scholarship for Dalit Students Abroad

Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP supremo, unveiled the Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship, a scheme designed to…

13 mins ago

Govt Forms Committee to Assess IAF’s Capability Development Amid Rising Threats

The Indian Government has formed a high-level committee under Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh to…

48 mins ago

National Farmers Day 2024: Date, History, and Importance

National Farmers’ Day, celebrated annually on December 23, is a tribute to the backbone of…

56 mins ago

Justice Madan Lokur Appointed Chairperson of UN Internal Justice Council

Former Supreme Court Judge of India, Justice Madan B Lokur, has been appointed as the…

1 hour ago

Which District of Gujarat is Known as the Brass City?

Gujarat, located in western India, is famous for its rich cultural heritage, historical landmarks and…

1 hour ago

ISRO, ESA Join Hands for Human Spaceflight Advancements

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a…

1 hour ago