Vikas Yadav, a former Indian government official, has been declared ‘wanted’ by the FBI for his alleged involvement in a foiled assassination plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a pro-Khalistan Sikh separatist leader, on American soil. Yadav, 39, has been charged with murder-for-hire and money laundering in connection to the conspiracy to assassinate Pannun, a vocal advocate for Khalistani separatism, around the time of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the US.
Key Charges Against Vikas Yadav 🚨
- Murder-for-hire: Yadav is accused of conspiring to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US citizen, for exercising his First Amendment rights.
- Money laundering: In connection with the assassination plot, Yadav allegedly facilitated the financial transactions aimed at paying the assassin.
The FBI has issued a wanted poster with three images of Yadav and has confirmed that a federal arrest warrant was issued on October 10, 2024.
The Plot 💼💰
- Co-conspirator: The US Department of Justice (DoJ) identifies Nikhil Gupta as a co-conspirator who was previously arrested in the Czech Republic and extradited to the US.
- Exchange of money: US federal prosecutors revealed a picture showing two individuals exchanging money in a car in New York, which they allege was the payment being made to the hired killer on behalf of Nikhil Gupta and Vikas Yadav.
Vikas Yadav’s Background 🕵️
- Yadav was formerly employed by the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India’s foreign intelligence service, housed under the Cabinet Secretariat.
- He is also known as “Amanat” and previously served as an Assistant Commandant in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), where he received training in security management, battle craft, and weapons.
The US indictment portrays him as a senior field officer who directed the assassination plot from India. While the Indian government has confirmed that Yadav is no longer an employee, his whereabouts remain unknown.
FBI’s Stance 🛑
FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized that Yadav’s alleged actions represent an attack on American soil and the First Amendment rights of a US citizen. US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland reiterated that the Justice Department will not tolerate attempts to target or endanger Americans.
Yadav remains at large, and the FBI has urged anyone with information to come forward.
This case underscores escalating tensions between the Indian government and Khalistan separatists, with the plot raising concerns about cross-border espionage and targeted violence on foreign soil.