NEW YORK: Vikash Yadav, a former Indian government official, was charged in the United States this week for allegedly orchestrating a foiled murder plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Yadav, 39, was arrested in New Delhi in December on attempted murder charges, according to court documents and a police officer.
The U.S. Justice Department unsealed the indictment on Thursday, accusing Yadav of leading a conspiracy to murder a Sikh separatist in New York. The indictment states that from May 2023, Yadav, described as an Indian government employee at the time, coordinated the plot with associates in India and abroad.
Delhi Police arrested Yadav on December 18, and he, along with an accomplice, faced charges of attempted murder and other offenses, as noted in a filing with a Delhi district court.
Yadav’s lawyer, R.K. Handoo, labeled the Indian charges as “fallacious,” claiming there is “an international plot to bring shame on the government of India and my client.” He declined to provide further comments.
Neither Handoo nor the police responded to inquiries regarding Yadav’s current whereabouts. The Washington Post, citing U.S. officials, reported that Yadav remains in India, with the U.S. expected to pursue his extradition.
Yadav’s arrest stemmed from a complaint by an Indian businessman who alleged that Yadav and an associate kidnapped, assaulted, and robbed him in December. A Delhi district court order dated February 23 outlined the complaint, stating that Yadav and his accomplice “tortured and manhandled the complainant” while demanding money in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
Bishnoi, who is imprisoned in Gujarat, is identified as an organized crime leader by India’s National Investigation Agency. His lawyer asserts that he is facing over 40 charges, including murder and extortion, with many cases still pending trial.
This week, Canadian authorities accused Indian government agents of having links to Bishnoi’s gang and targeting Indian dissidents in Canada, allegations that India’s government has denied.
According to the Delhi court order, Yadav and his accomplice allegedly took the complainant’s bank chequebook, obtained his signature on blank cheques, and later dropped him near his car with threats to remain silent.
