Who Is Vikas Yadav? Ex- Raw Agent Declared 'Wanted' By FBI In Pannun Murder Plot Case; Details Inside

Updated: Friday, October 18, 2024, 13:14 [IST]

Former Indian intelligence officer Vikas Yadav has found himself at the center of a global controversy after being accused of orchestrating an assassination attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a well-known Sikh separatist leader advocating for an independent Khalistan. Pannun, who holds both US and Canadian citizenship, has been a vocal critic of India and an advocate for the Khalistan movement.

Who is Vikas Yadav?

Yadav, 39, a former officer in India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), now faces serious charges from the US Department of Justice, including murder-for-hire and money laundering. The indictment alleges that Yadav coordinated the assassination plot from abroad, seeking to eliminate Pannun, who resides in the US. The plot, however, was thwarted, and Yadav remains at large.

Allegations Against Yadav

Prosecutors claim that Yadav, who was employed by India's Cabinet Secretariat, used his position within RAW to recruit and direct individuals to carry out the hit on Pannun. According to the indictment, Yadav conspired with a criminal associate, Nikhil Gupta, who was arrested in the Czech Republic last year and later extradited to the US, where he is currently in custody.

The FBI has shared a few photos of him on its official website with the below description:

"Vikas Yadav is wanted for allegedly directing a plot to assassinate a United States lawyer and political activist of Indian origin on United States soil. Yadav is an Indian national based in India and used "Amanat" as an alias when communicating with his co-conspirator, another Indian national, to facilitate the murder plot.

Yadav allegedly provided information, such as the victim's residential addresses, phone numbers, and other identifying information, to the Indian national in furtherance of the plot. Yadav and his co-conspirator arranged for an associate to deliver $15,000 in cash in New York, New York, as an advance payment for the murder.

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Yadav in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, New York, New York, on October 10, 2024, after he was charged with Murder-For-Hire, Conspiracy to Commit Murder-For-Hire, and Money Laundering Conspiracy."

India's Response

In response to the indictment, India has distanced itself from Yadav, with a spokesperson from the External Affairs Ministry confirming that Yadav is "no longer an employee of the Indian government." The Indian government has also denied any involvement in the assassination plot and initiated its own investigation.

The US has expressed satisfaction with India's cooperation in the ongoing investigation. According to US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, both countries are actively working together, with regular updates being shared between Indian and US officials.

Details from the Indictment

The indictment, which spans 18 pages, includes photographs of Yadav in military attire and images allegedly showing a financial transaction between two individuals in New York. Prosecutors claim this exchange was part of the payment for the attempted killing of Pannun. The photos date back to June 2023, though the name of the intended target, Pannun, is not explicitly mentioned in the indictment.

Following the unsealing of the charges, Pannun, general counsel for the Sikh separatist group Sikhs for Justice, praised the US government's action, saying it reaffirmed the country's commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of its citizens both at home and abroad.

The investigation into the assassination plot remains ongoing, with further developments expected as US and Indian authorities continue to collaborate on the case.