Charges Against Vikash Yadav, Wanted by FBI in Gurpatwant Pannun Assassination Plot

U.S. authorities have charged Vikash Yadav, a former Indian government official, for his alleged involvement in a failed plan to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the U.S. This foiled plot reportedly coincided with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the country.

U.S. Justice Department’s Charges

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against 39-year-old Vikash Yadav, who previously worked with India’s cabinet secretariat, which includes the foreign intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). He has been charged with “murder-for-hire” and “money laundering” in connection with the plot to kill Pannun. According to the Justice Department, Yadav is currently “at large.”

Responding to the U.S. indictment, Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that Yadav is “no longer an employee of the government of India.”

FBI Places Vikash Yadav on Wanted List

The FBI has issued a “wanted” notice for Vikash Yadav, who is now considered a fugitive. The agency has released a poster with three images of Yadav, stating that a federal warrant for his arrest was issued on October 10.

Christopher Wray, director of the FBI, said, “The defendant, an Indian government employee, allegedly conspired with a criminal associate and attempted to assassinate a U.S. citizen on American soil for exercising their First Amendment rights.”

Details of the Alleged Plot

Yadav was initially referred to in legal documents as “CC-1” (co-conspirator). The alleged assassination plot involved Nikhil Gupta, a criminal associate of Yadav. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic and later extradited to the U.S. He is now awaiting trial in connection with the case. According to the indictment, Gupta had hired someone to kill Pannun, a U.S. citizen. However, the hired individual was an FBI informant, who asked for $100,000 to carry out the job but only received a $15,000 advance on June 9, 2023.

The 18-page indictment also includes a picture of money being exchanged in a car in New York, which federal prosecutors claim was the payment for the assassination attempt.

Vikash Yadav’s Background

The indictment provides detailed information about Vikash Yadav’s background. It states that Yadav described himself as a “senior field officer” responsible for “security management” and “intelligence.” Yadav had also previously served in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in India, where he received training in “battle craft” and “weapons.” He reportedly directed the assassination plot from India.

One of the images of Yadav shows him in an Army combat uniform, though he is not wearing any rank insignia. The U.S. indictment claims he held the position of Assistant Commandant in the CRPF.

India’s Response and U.S. Cooperation

The Indian government has denied any involvement in the assassination plot. After the U.S. allegations surfaced, New Delhi launched an internal investigation. A committee was set up to examine the matter, and India has cooperated with U.S. authorities.

The second indictment was unsealed just two days after an Indian inquiry committee visited the U.S. to meet with officials from the FBI, Department of Justice, and State Department to discuss the case.

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated, “We are satisfied with the cooperation. It continues to be an ongoing process. We continue to work with them on that, but we do appreciate the cooperation, and we appreciate them updating us on their investigation as we update them on ours.”