Satyanarayan Mohapatra
A high-stakes international manhunt is underway as the FBI seeks to apprehend Vikash Yadav, a former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer, indicted by the US Department of Justice for his alleged role in a foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. This case, marked by intrigue, international cooperation, accusations of clandestine government operations, and strained diplomatic relations between the US and India.
The plot and Yadav's role
According to the US indictment, Yadav, a 39-year-old former Assistant Commandant in the Central Reserve Police Force with specialized training in counter-intelligence and security, orchestrated the assassination plot from India, targeting Pannun, who resides in New York City. Pannun is a prominent figure in Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), an organization advocating for an independent Sikh homeland called Khalistan, a movement deemed as terrorism by the Indian government.
The alleged plot began in May 2023, shortly after the murder of another Khalistani separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada. Yadav, believing the timing was opportune, allegedly recruited Nikhil Gupta to carry out the assassination. Gupta, in turn, contacted an individual he believed to be a criminal associate but who was actually a confidential source working with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This source introduced Gupta to an undercover DEA agent posing as a hitman.
The Sting operation
Yadav and Gupta allegedly agreed to pay the undercover agent $100,000 for the murder, with $15,000 delivered as an advance payment. Yadav provided Gupta with Pannun's personal details, including addresses and phone numbers, and directed him to provide regular updates on the plot's progress. Gupta even sent Yadav surveillance photographs of Pannun and requested that the assassination not coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to the US in June 2023.
In June 2023, Gupta traveled to the Czech Republic to coordinate the assassination, but US law enforcement intervened, thwarting the attempt and arresting Gupta. He has since been extradited to the United States to face charges.
Yadav's indictment and the extradition
The US Department of Justice has now indicted Yadav on multiple charges, including murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each of the murder-for-hire charges and up to 20 years for the money laundering charge.
Yadav, currently believed to be in India, is on the FBI's wanted list, and a federal arrest warrant has been issued. The US is expected to pursue his extradition, which could lead to a complex legal and diplomatic process.
The allegations against Yadav have raised serious concerns in the US, prompting calls for India to investigate the involvement of its officials in the plot. Indian authorities have informed the US that Yadav is no longer a government employee, a move that has been met with satisfaction by the US State Department. It remains to be seen how India will respond to the US extradition request and what implications this case will have on the relationship between the two countries.
Timeline of Events:
- May 2023: Yadav allegedly recruits Gupta to assassinate Pannun.
- June 2023: Gupta travels to the Czech Republic and is arrested.
- October 2024: Yadav indicted by the US Department of Justice.
- October 2024: FBI issues a federal arrest warrant for Yadav.
DISCLAIMER: This brief is based on information from publicly available sources and reflects the author's interpretation of the topic and do not reflect Prameya's or Prameya News7 editorial stance.
