TL/DR –
The US Justice Department has charged an Indian government employee, Vikash Yadav, with plotting to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who resides in New York. This development comes in the same week that two members of an Indian committee investigating the plot met with US officials, and Canada expelled India’s top diplomat over his alleged involvement in the murder of a Sikh activist. Yadav remains at large, and the man allegedly recruited by him, Nikhil Gupta, has already been extradited to the US from the Czech Republic.
U.S. Justice Department Charges Indian Government Employee Over Murder-for-Hire Plot
An Indian government worker, Vikash Yadav, is facing criminal charges from the U.S. Justice Department for his participation in a botched assassination attempt of a New York-based Sikh separatist leader.
Yadav, currently on the run, faces federal murder-for-hire charges. The announcement of his involvement came the same week two Indian inquiry committee members were in Washington, D.C. to discuss the investigation with U.S. officials. Interestingly, Canada identified and expelled India’s top diplomat, along with five others, for involvement in a Sikh activist’s assassination this week.
“Every individual who seeks to harm and silence American citizens will be held accountable, regardless of their position or proximity to power,” stated Attorney General Merrick Garland, reinforcing the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights.
The failed murder plot was first revealed last year with the indictment of Nikhil Gupta, who was recruited by Yadav to plan the Sikh leader’s assassination.
Court documents revealed that a hitman, who was offered $100,000, was actually an undercover federal agent, according to Southern District of New York investigators. Gupta was extradited to the U.S. from the Czech Republic for his role in the plot.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the intended victim, reflected on the case, asserting its significance for U.S. constitutional protection and denouncing India’s attempts to silence Sikhs advocating for a sovereign state.
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