India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has, for the first time, publicly acknowledged the involvement of a former Indian government official in a US case alleging an assassination attempt on a pro-Khalistani lawyer.
In a press release, the MHA revealed that a high-powered government committee had completed its inquiry into the matter and recommended legal action against an individual.
The statement also noted weaknesses in governmental systems and procedures that need to be addressed, implying that the accused, a former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer, acted independently.
This marks the first official recognition by the Indian government of its systems' potential vulnerabilities in the alleged transnational operation.
Interestingly, the statement was issued by the MHA instead of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) or the National Security Council Secretariat, which typically handles intelligence-related matters. The notable shift implicates the Union home ministry, which until now had remained publicly uninvolved, even as Canadian officials have accused Home Minister Amit Shah of allegedly sanctioning the transnational killings.
The case revolves around Vikash Yadav, a former R&AW officer accused by the US Department of Justice of orchestrating a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a pro-Khalistan campaigner based in New York.
Yadav was charged with murder-for-hire and accused of planning multiple assassinations in North America. While the MHA’s statement did not directly name Yadav, it sought to distance the Indian government from his actions, describing them as rogue operations carried out by a “lone wolf.”
The Inquiry and Its Findings
The inquiry committee, established in November 2023 under US pressure following the indictment, conducted a detailed investigation, including pursuing leads from the US, examining officials, and reviewing documents.
The report recommended swift legal action against an individual with alleged criminal links and called for systematic reforms to prevent similar incidents.
The MHA’s statement emphasized the need for better intelligence oversight and coordination, indicating the operation’s independent nature rather than a state-sanctioned effort.
In October 2024, the US unveiled a second indictment directly naming Yadav as the individual who orchestrated the foiled plot. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a wanted notice for Yadav, noting his background as a CRPF official before joining R&AW.
The indictment followed earlier charges in 2023 against another Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who was accused of attempting to execute the assassination under Yadav’s direction.
Yadav, who was reportedly arrested by Delhi Police in December 2023 on unrelated charges, has been out on bail since April 2024, with his current whereabouts unknown. Meanwhile, his family has stated he remains in contact but has disclosed little about his location.
Similar allegations have surfaced in Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the June 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistani activist.
Despite Ottawa’s claims of sharing evidence with New Delhi, the Indian government has consistently denied involvement. These allegations have further strained India’s relations with members of the Five Eyes alliance, including the US, which has called on India to cooperate with Canada’s investigation.
The MHA’s statement comes at a critical juncture as New Delhi seeks to reset ties with the incoming Trump administration.
While the Biden administration has maintained a dual approach—strengthening ties with India while holding it accountable for alleged transnational repression—the Indian government appears to anticipate a more lenient stance under Trump.
By initiating action against Yadav and addressing systemic lapses, India aims to demonstrate accountability and deflect additional pressure from Washington.
However, the case’s presence in the US legal system and scrutiny from Congress, particularly Democratic lawmakers, pose significant challenges to New Delhi’s narrative.
In a press release, the MHA revealed that a high-powered government committee had completed its inquiry into the matter and recommended legal action against an individual.
The statement also noted weaknesses in governmental systems and procedures that need to be addressed, implying that the accused, a former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer, acted independently.
This marks the first official recognition by the Indian government of its systems' potential vulnerabilities in the alleged transnational operation.
Interestingly, the statement was issued by the MHA instead of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) or the National Security Council Secretariat, which typically handles intelligence-related matters. The notable shift implicates the Union home ministry, which until now had remained publicly uninvolved, even as Canadian officials have accused Home Minister Amit Shah of allegedly sanctioning the transnational killings.
The case revolves around Vikash Yadav, a former R&AW officer accused by the US Department of Justice of orchestrating a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a pro-Khalistan campaigner based in New York.
Yadav was charged with murder-for-hire and accused of planning multiple assassinations in North America. While the MHA’s statement did not directly name Yadav, it sought to distance the Indian government from his actions, describing them as rogue operations carried out by a “lone wolf.”
The Inquiry and Its Findings
The inquiry committee, established in November 2023 under US pressure following the indictment, conducted a detailed investigation, including pursuing leads from the US, examining officials, and reviewing documents.
The report recommended swift legal action against an individual with alleged criminal links and called for systematic reforms to prevent similar incidents.
The MHA’s statement emphasized the need for better intelligence oversight and coordination, indicating the operation’s independent nature rather than a state-sanctioned effort.
In October 2024, the US unveiled a second indictment directly naming Yadav as the individual who orchestrated the foiled plot. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a wanted notice for Yadav, noting his background as a CRPF official before joining R&AW.
The indictment followed earlier charges in 2023 against another Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who was accused of attempting to execute the assassination under Yadav’s direction.
Yadav, who was reportedly arrested by Delhi Police in December 2023 on unrelated charges, has been out on bail since April 2024, with his current whereabouts unknown. Meanwhile, his family has stated he remains in contact but has disclosed little about his location.
Similar allegations have surfaced in Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the June 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistani activist.
Despite Ottawa’s claims of sharing evidence with New Delhi, the Indian government has consistently denied involvement. These allegations have further strained India’s relations with members of the Five Eyes alliance, including the US, which has called on India to cooperate with Canada’s investigation.
The MHA’s statement comes at a critical juncture as New Delhi seeks to reset ties with the incoming Trump administration.
While the Biden administration has maintained a dual approach—strengthening ties with India while holding it accountable for alleged transnational repression—the Indian government appears to anticipate a more lenient stance under Trump.
By initiating action against Yadav and addressing systemic lapses, India aims to demonstrate accountability and deflect additional pressure from Washington.
However, the case’s presence in the US legal system and scrutiny from Congress, particularly Democratic lawmakers, pose significant challenges to New Delhi’s narrative.
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