US charges Indian govt employee in foiled plot to assassinate kill ‘Sikh seperatist’ leader Pannun : Valley Vision

Pannun is the legal adviser for the group Sikhs for Justice and a vocal member of the Khalistan movement. Sikhs for Justice is banned in India, and Pannun is accused of being “involved in terrorism” by New Delhi.

An indictment against 39-year-old Vikash Yadav by the United States Department of Justice, unsealed on Thursday, identified him as a former “senior field officer” in the Research and Analysis Wing, India’s foreign intelligence service.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said, “Last year, this Office charged Nikhil Gupta for conspiring to assassinate a US citizen of Indian origin on US soil. But, as alleged, Gupta did not work alone. Today, we announce charges against an Indian government employee, Vikash Yadav, who orchestrated the plot from India and directed Gupta to hire a hitman to murder the victim.”

Another suspect in the case, Nikhil Gupta, was extradited to the US earlier this year to face charges while Yadav remains at large, according to US authorities.

“The right to exercise free speech is foundational to our democracy, and predicated on the notion that we can do so without fear of violence or reprisal, including from beyond our borders.  Let this case be a warning to all those who would seek to harm and silence U.S. citizens:  We will hold you accountable, no matter who and where you are.”

The statement claims that during times relevant to the Second Superseding Indictment, YADAV was employed by the Government of India’s Cabinet Secretariat, which houses India’s foreign intelligence service, the Research and Analysis Wing.

“Yadav has described his position as a “Senior Field Officer” with responsibilities in “Security Management” and “Intelligence.”  Yadav also has referenced previously serving in India’s Central Reserve Police Force and receiving “officer[] training” in “battle craft” and “weapons.” Yadav is a citizen and resident of India, and he directed the plot to assassinate the Victim from India.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation also placed Yadav on its “wanted” list, and said that a federal arrest warrant was issued against him on October 10.

This comes days after a diplomatic fallout between India and Canada over the killing of another Khalistan leader in Canada, allegedly by Indian agents. New Delhi has refuted the allegations and expelled Canadian diplomats from the country.