The US Justice Division has charged Vikas Yadav, a former officer of India’s Analysis and Evaluation Wing (RAW), with directing an assassination plot concentrating on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a distinguished Sikh separatist chief who advocates for the creation of Khalistan.
Pannun, a US-Canadian twin citizen, has been a vocal determine pushing for a separate Sikh homeland, which India has labeled a critical safety risk.
RAW Official Charged with Homicide-For-Rent and Cash Laundering
In accordance with a report by PTI, Yadav faces three costs, together with murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit cash laundering. He’s alleged to have conspired with Nikhil Gupta, a co-conspirator who was arrested in Czechoslovakia final yr and is at present in a US jail following extradition. Yadav, nevertheless, “stays at giant,” in accordance with the US Division of Justice.
Denial of Involvement by Indian Authorities
The Indian authorities has denied any involvement within the assassination plot. Following the allegations, New Delhi arrange an inquiry committee to research the matter.
In accordance with the US State Division, cooperation between the 2 nations on this concern has been ongoing, and India has up to date the US on its investigation. US officers have expressed satisfaction with the extent of cooperation.
Indian Official No Longer Employed by Authorities
In a gathering between Indian and US officers, members of India’s Committee of Inquiry have been knowledgeable that Yadav is now not an worker of the Indian authorities. State Division Spokesperson Matthew Miller described the assembly as “productive” and confirmed that each side had up to date one another on their respective investigations.
Assassination Plot
The unsealed 18-page indictment comprises detailed details about the assassination plot. It features a {photograph} of Yadav in army gown and an image exhibiting two people exchanging cash in a automotive in New York, which federal prosecutors allege was cost for the deliberate killing. On June 9, 2023, an advance of $15,000 was reportedly paid for the homicide.
Connection to Modi’s State Go to to the US
The plot coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state go to to the US, which happened on June 22, 2023. The indictment claims that Yadav instructed the employed killer to not perform the assassination throughout or instantly earlier than the state go to.
Hyperlink to Nijjar’s Assassination in Canada
The indictment additionally reveals a connection between this plot and the assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada throughout the identical interval. Communications between Yadav, Gupta, and the alleged murderer recommend coordination between the 2 incidents.
With Inputs From PTI
