India's R&AW officer conspired to kill Pannun in the US : US Department of Justice

Justice Accusations by US Department of Justice

(R&AW stands for ‘Research and Analysis Wing’, an intelligence agency of India)

New York (USA) – In a case involving the conspiracy to murder Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) has filed a charge sheet in a New York Court. The charge sheet accuses former R&AW officer Vikas Yadav of orchestrating the murder plot. Yadav previously worked in India’s Cabinet Secretariat, which includes the country’s foreign intelligence service, R&AW. He is accused of conspiracy to commit murder and financial misconduct. He is currently at large. His associate Nikhil Gupta was arrested last year in the Czech Republic and is now in US custody following extradition. India has previously dismissed the US allegations regarding this matter.

“An Indian RAW officer plotted Pannun’s murder in the US!” – Accusation by the US Department of Justice

The US has dismissed Canada’s accusation that Vikas Yadav was involved in Nijjar’s murder.

Despite having no evidence, Canadian PM #JustinTrudeau accused India of being… pic.twitter.com/Aan3kurXOU

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) October 18, 2024

1. The FBI’s charge sheet states that Yadav involved Nikhil Gupta in the conspiracy and provided instructions, which included complete information about Pannun, such as his address, phone number, and daily activities.

After this, Gupta contacted a criminal whom he believed to be a hired assassin to murder Pannun. However, this individual was actually an undercover agent from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). For this murder, Yadav allegedly planned to pay $100,000 (approximately ₹83 lakhs).

2. US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said that the Justice Department will not tolerate attempts to target, endanger, or diminish the rights of any American citizen.

3. FBI Director Christopher Wray noted that the accused is an employee of the Indian Government and conspired with a criminal associate to attempt the murder of an American citizen on US soil.

4. Following the allegations by the US, India established a committee to investigate the matter, to which the US also expressed satisfaction.

Canada’s allegation of Yadav’s involvement in Nijjar’s murder dismissed by US

After India’s name surfaced in the conspiracy to murder Pannun, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that Vikas Yadav was also involved in the murder of Nijjar; however, the US has dismissed this claim. The US State Department said that Yadav has no connection to the Nijjar murder case in Canada.

Editorial Perspective

After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations regarding the murder of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar without any evidence, he has now tacitly acknowledged the lack of proof for his accusations. The same will apply to the US as well. The US will have to concede similarly.