United States has charged a former Indian intelligence officer: The US has accused a former Indian intelligence officer of plotting an assassination attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a Sikh separatist and Indian critic, in New York City. According to the report of news agency Reuters, the FBI has also warned against such retaliatory action against the American resident.
On Thursday, the indictment against this former intelligence officer named Vikas Yadav was unsealed in the federal court in Manhattan, which points to a direct link between the Indian government and the assassination plan on American soil.
Nikhil Gupta’s name was revealed earlier
The Justice Department first announced charges in the case last year, charging Nikhil Gupta, an Indian citizen and alleged drug and arms smuggler. The indictment also mentioned an unnamed Indian government official, whom prosecutors said had done the entire planning. The new indictment unsealed on Thursday has identified the officer as Yadav and made him a co-defendant in the case. Both Yadav and Gupta are accused of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The former officer whose name surfaced is absconding
Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic last year and extradited to the US. He has declared himself innocent. According to the Justice Department, Yadav is still absconding. Attorney General Merrick B. “The Justice Department will work tirelessly to hold accountable anyone — regardless of position or proximity to power — who seeks to harm and silence American citizens,” Garland said in a statement. “
Who is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun?
Pannu is an American-Canadian citizen, lawyer and political activist. He is the General Advocate of Sikh for Justice and is a supporter of Khalistan. US officials claim that a conspiracy was hatched to kill Pannu in her own office in New York on November 29, 2023. This conspiracy was hatched by a former Indian intelligence officer.