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Indian panel recommends legal action against individual in Pannun assassination case
While the US indictment named the individual Vikash Yadav, the Indian investigative report did not name individual in question.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun / Image- File Photo /Reuters
A high-level committee set up by the Indian government has recommended legal action against the individual named as a key figure in the United States thwarted assassination plot of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) disclosed the findings in a statement on Jan. 15 marking the first acknowledgment by India of the involvement of an Indian national in the case.
The inquiry, initiated in November 2023 under pressure from the United States, scrutinized evidence provided by U.S. authorities linking the plot to Vikash Yadav, a former Indian official indicted in the U.S. for his alleged role in orchestrating the attempt. The MHA’s statement, however, did not name Yadav but referred to an “individual” with a history of criminal activities.
Panel Findings and Recommendations
The committee's investigation included examining leads from the U.S., reviewing official records, and interviewing relevant personnel. "After a long enquiry, the committee has submitted its report to the government and recommended legal action against an individual whose earlier criminal links and antecedents also came to notice," the MHA stated, emphasizing the urgency of expediting legal proceedings.
The report also highlighted systemic lapses within India’s intelligence framework, with recommendations for improving procedural safeguards and coordination to prevent similar incidents.
Background of the Allegations
In October 2024, U.S. prosecutors unsealed an indictment against Yadav, identifying him as a key figure in the alleged assassination plot. The charges indicated Yadav’s involvement as a former official of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), who reportedly coordinated the operation from India.
The case has drawn comparisons to allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who accused India of involvement in the June 2023 killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
The MHA statement did not address these allegations or refer to the murder of Nijjar, which Canadian officials linked to Indian operatives.
The U.S. Department of Justice has described the foiled plot against Pannun as part of a broader strategy of transnational repression, citing similarities with tactics employed by China and Iran. Washington has urged India to cooperate with Canada’s investigation into Nijjar’s murder, emphasizing the gravity of the accusations.
Response from India
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had previously distanced itself from the case, stating in November 2024 that Yadav was no longer employed by the Indian government. Despite this, the inquiry committee's findings underscore the involvement of individuals exploiting systemic vulnerabilities.
The MHA has pledged to implement the panel’s recommendations to enhance procedural controls and prevent rogue activities. The government has yet to announce specific legal actions against Yadav or provide updates on his whereabouts, amid reports of his arrest in Delhi and subsequent disappearance after securing bail.
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