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US prosecutor who charged Indian official in Pannun ‘murder-for-hire’ plot resigns
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, will step down from his position on Dec. 13, 2024.
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Damian Williams/ Vikash Yadav / Image- Wikipedia/ US DOJ
The U.S. federal prosecutor who filed charges against a former Indian intelligence officer over an alleged conspiracy to kill Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has announced his resignation.
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, will step down from his position on Dec. 13, 2024.
The announcement comes amid heightened interest in the case involving Vikash Yadav, a former officer of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), accused of orchestrating a "murder-for-hire" plot targeting Pannun. The case, filed last month by Williams, also implicates Nikhil Gupta, an alleged co-conspirator who was extradited from the Czech Republic earlier this year.
In his resignation statement on Nov. 5, Williams described his tenure as a privilege and emphasized the strength of the institution he led. “It is bittersweet to leave my dream job, but I am confident the office continues to function at the highest level of integrity and independence. Working with such dedicated public servants has been the honor of a lifetime,” he said. Edward Y. Kim, the current Deputy U.S. Attorney, will assume the role of Acting U.S. Attorney following Williams’ departure.
The case against Yadav, which has drawn international attention, centers on allegations that he sought to silence Pannun, a prominent proponent of Khalistani separatism and head of the banned group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Pannun has been a vocal critic of the Indian government, with SFJ advocating for a separate Khalistan state.
Gupta, the second individual charged in the case, has denied all allegations. His trial is ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for January 19. Legal analysts suggest the direction of the case could shift under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has nominated Jay Clayton, a former Securities and Exchange Commission chair, as Williams’ successor.
Pam Bondi, Trump's pick for Attorney General, will oversee the Justice Department's priorities pending Senate confirmation. It remains to be seen whether the new leadership will alter the approach to prosecuting this high-profile case.
The resignation of Williams, who has served under the Biden administration, adds a layer of uncertainty to the ongoing legal proceedings. In his parting remarks, Williams reiterated, “This office will continue to uphold its tradition of doing the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons.”
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