Former Indian Government Official Facing Charges in NYC Assassination Plot

Former Indian Government Official Facing Charges in NYC Assassination Plot

Former Indian government employee Vikash Yadav has been charged in a plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in New York City.

At a Glance

  • Vikash Yadav, a former Indian government employee, has been charged in assassination plot against Sikh separatist in NYC.
  • The reveal comes amid investigations into the murder of different Sikh separatist in Canada, straining diplomatic relations.
  • The U.S. Justice Department emphasizes its commitment to protecting constitutional rights against foreign retaliation.

Details of the Assassination Plot

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Vikash Yadav, a former Indian intelligence official, for allegedly orchestrating a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist leader, in New York City last year.

Yadav allegedly recruited Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national and alleged drug and weapons trafficker, to carry out the assassination. Gupta, who was previously indicted and extradited to the U.S. from the Czech Republic, has pleaded not guilty. The charges against Yadav include “murder-for-hire and money laundering.”

International Implications and Diplomatic Tensions

The plot against Pannun was revealed the same week that Indian officials were accused of being involved in the murder of another Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada. Criminal activity allegedly involving India has reportedly strained diplomatic relations between India and Western countries, particularly the United States and Canada.

“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 stated.

Canadian authorities have arrested four Indian nationals in connection with Nijjar’s murder and expelled six Indian diplomats, accusing them of involvement in a campaign against Canadian citizens. The U.S. State Department has urged India to cooperate with Canada’s investigation into the killing.

U.S. Response and Investigation

The FBI Director emphasized the U.S. commitment to protecting constitutional rights against foreign retaliation. The Justice Department’s announcement of charges against Yadav coincided with a visit by Indian officials to Washington to discuss the investigation.

“The Justice Department will be relentless in holding accountable any person — regardless of their position or proximity to power — who seeks to harm and silence American citizens,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

The U.S. is expected to seek Yadav’s extradition from India, as he remains at large. India has launched an internal inquiry into the matter and is cooperating with the U.S. investigation but has not responded to the charges against Yadav.

The DOJ press release referred to Yadav as a government employee of India, but India reportedly later said that the suspect is no longer with the government.

Implications for U.S.-India Relations

This case presents a possible challenge to U.S.-India relations, as the U.S. has been viewing India as a potential counterbalance to China in the region. The Biden administration is working to address these tensions while maintaining strategic ties with India.

Pannun, a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen, welcomed the indictment, stating, “The attempt on my life on American Soil is the blatant case of India’s transnational terrorism which has become a challenge to America’s sovereignty and threat to freedom of speech and democracy, which unequivocally proves that India believes in using bullets while pro Khalistan Sikhs believe in ballots.”

As this situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the U.S. and India will navigate these diplomatic waters while addressing serious concerns about transnational terrorism and the protection of constitutional rights.

Sources

  1. Justice Department Announces Charges Against Indian Government Employee in Connection with Foiled Plot to Assassinate U.S. Citizen in New York City
  2. Ex-Indian government agent plotted assassination on U.S. soil, DOJ says
  3. Indian government employee charged in foiled murder-for-hire plot in New York City