Former Indian Intelligence Official 'Vikash Yadav' Charged By US Over Alleged Murder Plot Against Khalistani Terrorist Pannun—All About It

The US Department of Justice has formally charged a former Indian intelligence officer, Vikash Yadav, over his alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Hours before this announcement, both the Indian and US governments confirmed that a person identified as “CC1” in the US Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment was “no longer an employee of the Indian government.”

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, also confirmed on Thursday that a high-level Indian enquiry committee that had been set up to review evidence provided by the US regarding the alleged roles of Indian national Nikhil Gupta and an Indian official in the plot against Pannun, visited the United Staes.

The US had earlier announced this visit on Monday.

Nikhil Gupta, arrested in Prague last year and extradited to the US, is now facing prosecution.

The US Justice Department had earlier stated that Indian intelligence official, identified in the court documents as "CC1", had recruited Gupta to orchestrate the assassination of Pannun, which was thwarted by US authorities.

An indictment of the Vikas Yadav was ordered to be unsealed on Thursday.

The US Justice Department indictment claimed that Vikas Yadav was a former officer in India's Research and Analysis Wing (RA&W) spy service.

Vikas Yadav, 39, who is believed to be no longer a government employee, has been charged with three counts, including murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

He “remains at large,” the Department of Justice said.

"The FBI will not tolerate acts of violence or other efforts to retaliate against those residing in the U.S. for exercising their constitutionally protected rights," FBI director Christopher Wray said in a statement.

The indictment alleged that beginning in May 2023, Vikas Yadav, described as an employee of the Indian government at the time, worked together with others in India and abroad to direct a plot against Pannun.

India has labeled Sikh separatists as “terrorists” and as threats to its security.

The indictment said Yadav had hired Nikhil Gupta whom the US Justice Department has previously charged with trying to arrange the murder of Pannun at the behest of the Indian intelligence official.

Gupta traveled from India to Prague in June 2023, where Czech authorities arrested him. He was later extradited to the US and pleaded not guilty in court.

“Today’s charges demonstrate that the Justice Department will not tolerate attempts to target and endanger Americans and to undermine the rights to which every US citizen is entitled,” US Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

India has denied any involvement in the alleged plot to assassinate an American citizen on US soil. Following US accusations, New Delhi initiated an inquiry, and US authorities have acknowledged satisfactory cooperation from India.

The second indictment was unsealed just 48 hours after the Indian Enquiry Committee met with US officials from the FBI, DOJ, and State Department to discuss the case.

“We are satisfied with the cooperation. It continues to be an ongoing process. We continue to work with them on that, but we do appreciate the cooperation, and we appreciate them updating us on their investigation as we update them on ours,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Wednesday.

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