US Charges Indian National in Alleged Assassination Plot Against Sikh Activist in New York

In a case with far-reaching international implications, the United States has charged Vikash Yadav, a former Indian intelligence officer, with conspiracy to assassinate a prominent Sikh separatist leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced the charges, which also include money laundering, in what authorities described as a “murder-for-hire” scheme. The case has escalated tensions between India, the US, and Canada, particularly as it follows another assassination claim in Canada involving Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The Plot and Alleged Assassination Attempt

Vikash Yadav, 39, allegedly orchestrated the assassination plot against Pannun, a US-Canadian citizen and advocate for Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh state. The indictment accuses Yadav of recruiting Nikhil Gupta, another Indian national, to arrange the murder in exchange for the dismissal of legal charges against Gupta in India. Gupta was arrested in June 2023 and extradited from the Czech Republic, where he had been detained since traveling from India. He pleaded not guilty.

The US Department of Justice detailed that Yadav had provided Gupta with Pannun’s personal information, including his home address in New York, phone numbers, and daily schedule. In exchange, Gupta was allegedly promised to have his criminal case in India “taken care of.” Yadav and Gupta worked closely with an individual they believed to be a criminal associate, who later turned out to be an undercover agent of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Diplomatic Fallout and India’s Response

This case comes in the midst of growing diplomatic tensions, particularly in light of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations that Indian government agents were involved in the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia. India has strongly denied any involvement in both cases, labeling the claims as “preposterous” and accusing foreign governments of playing politics with its Sikh diaspora.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal acknowledged Yadav as an ex-employee of the Indian government but refused to directly address the charges. He emphasized that India was cooperating with the ongoing US investigation, although the Indian government has yet to officially respond to the specific allegations against Yadav.

Connections to Canada and Allegations of Transnational Repression

The indictment against Yadav came just days after Trudeau’s statement implicating India in Nijjar’s assassination, causing both Canada and India to expel each other’s diplomats. According to the US Justice Department, Yadav’s plot to assassinate Pannun was not an isolated incident. In fact, court records suggest Yadav was planning additional murders of pro-Khalistan figures in Canada, escalating concerns about transnational repression and Indian involvement in targeting Sikh activists abroad.

The Canadian police have alleged that India used members of jailed Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s network to carry out violent acts against pro-Khalistan figures, a claim India has dismissed, citing a lack of evidence.

Who is Vikash Yadav?

According to the indictment, Yadav, also known by aliases Vikas and Amanat, is a former officer in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s top intelligence agency. The 39-year-old Indian national had been working under the government’s Cabinet Secretariat and was a trained security and intelligence officer. His prior experience included work with India’s paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), where he reportedly received training in “battle craft and weapons.”

Yadav’s role in the assassination plot allegedly stemmed from his position in RAW, where he had access to confidential information and used his authority to direct the murder attempt on Pannun. US authorities have stated that Yadav remains at large, with India yet to respond to potential extradition requests.

The US Stance on Targeted Assassination Plots

The US government, in response to these allegations, has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of American citizens, including their right to free speech and safety. “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,” US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement following Yadav’s indictment.

Similarly, FBI Director Christopher Wray underscored that the US would not tolerate foreign interference or violence aimed at curtailing the constitutional rights of US residents. “The FBI will not tolerate acts of violence or other efforts to retaliate against those residing in the US for exercising their constitutionally protected rights,” Wray asserted.

Pannun’s Response

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the target of the foiled assassination plot, welcomed the indictment against Yadav. Pannun, who serves as the general counsel for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a group advocating for Punjab’s secession from India, described the charges as a victory for the US justice system. In a statement, Pannun criticized the Indian government for its transnational efforts to suppress pro-Khalistan activism.

“The attempt on my life on American soil is a blatant case of India’s transnational terrorism,” Pannun said. He argued that India’s actions pose a direct threat to American sovereignty and freedom of speech. His remarks come amid increasing international attention to India’s handling of the Khalistan movement and its treatment of Sikh activists, both within and outside of India.

Broader Implications for US-India Relations

This case may also impact the broader diplomatic relations between India and the US, two countries with strong economic and strategic ties, especially regarding counterbalancing China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. While the US has praised India’s cooperation in this particular case, it remains to be seen how ongoing investigations and further developments could affect their partnership.

This situation mirrors growing global concerns over the Indian government’s alleged efforts to suppress dissent and Sikh separatist movements abroad. The accusations against Yadav underscore fears of rising transnational repression, targeting diaspora communities, and threatening individual freedoms in countries like the US and Canada.