A former Indian government employee, Vikash Yadav, has been indicted in the U.S. for directing the assassination attempt of a Sikh separatist leader in New York City. Yadav, who was a senior field officer for New Delhi, allegedly orchestrated the plot from India and hired Nikhil Gupta to carry out the assassination. Gupta was apprehended last year in connection with the plot and extradited to the U.S. The FBI has issued a wanted poster for Yadav, who remains at large.
The Indian government has denied any involvement in the assassination plot and stated that Yadav is no longer an employee. The indictment came as members of an Indian committee investigating the plot were in Washington meeting with U.S. officials. The victim, a U.S. citizen of Indian origin, is believed to be Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a vocal critic of the Indian government and advocate for Khalistan.
The indictment has added to diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, with Canada accusing India of plotting the murder of another Sikh activist. India has denied the allegations and has stated that Canada has not provided any firm evidence. The U.S. has called for India to cooperate with Canada in its investigation. Yadav, who used the alias “Amanat,” directed the assassination plot from India and arranged for a hitman to be hired.
The charges against Yadav are seen as a part of an increase in violent transnational repression targeting diaspora communities in the U.S. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen has emphasized the seriousness of such actions in the news release.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com