On October 17, 2024, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) announced criminal charges against a former employee of the Indian government for his alleged involvement in a thwarted plot to assassinate a U.S. citizen in New York City.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the suspect, Vikash Yadav, who is currently at large, allegedly orchestrated a plan to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S.-based leader of the Sikh separatist movement. The statement revealed that authorities filed charges of “murder-for-hire,” and “money laundering,” against Yadav for his role in the plot.
A Second Superseding Indictment, unsealed on October 17th, in Manhattan, highlighted the involvement of Yadav’s alleged co-conspirator, Nikhil Gupta, who had been previously charged and extradited to the U.S. under the First Superseding Indictment.
Before the official announcement came from the United States, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal in a press conference on October 17th, conveyed, “The US State Department informed us that the individual in the Justice Department indictment is no longer employed by India. I confirm that he is no longer an employee of the Government of India.”
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Last year, this Office charged Nikhil Gupta for conspiring to assassinate a U.S. citizen of Indian origin on U.S. soil. But, as alleged, Gupta did not work alone. Today, we announce charges against an Indian government employee, Vikash Yadav, who orchestrated the plot from India and directed Gupta to hire a hitman to murder the victim.”
“The right to exercise free speech is foundational to our democracy,” Williams further noted emphasizing that the democratic values were built on the belief that citizens can express themselves without fear of violence or retaliation, even from outside of US borders. He pointed out that this case may serve as a clear warning to anyone attempting to harm or silence U.S. citizens, adding that “We will hold you accountable,” regardless of who you are or where you’re located.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland said, “The Justice Department will be relentless in holding accountable any person – regardless of their position or proximity to power – who seeks to harm and silence American citizens,” adding “Today’s charges demonstrate that the Justice Department will not tolerate attempts to target and endanger Americans and to undermine the rights to which every U.S. citizen is entitled.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York conducted the investigation with support from several agencies, including Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Anne Milgram, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero.
Administrator Milgram said: “DEA foiled this assassination attempt last year and has continued to trace this case back to an employee of the Indian government whom we charge was an orchestrator of this intricate murder-for-hire scheme. DEA did not relent, and today’s indictment names Vikash Yadav as that alleged mastermind.”
Milgram explained that Yadav had exploited his government position and access to sensitive information to orchestrate the assassination attempt of a vocal critic of the Indian government residing in the U.S. She emphasized that the investigation was spearheaded by the DEA New York Division’s Drug Enforcement Task Force, which includes the DEA, New York State Police, and New York City Police Department, showcasing the team’s relentless dedication to pursuing justice.
“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,” added FBI Director Wray: The FBI will not tolerate acts of violence or other efforts to retaliate against those residing in the U.S. for exercising their constitutionally protected rights.”
FBI Director Wray reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to collaborating with partners to identify, prevent, and bring to justice foreign nationals or individuals involved in “acts of transnational repression.”
Responding to the indictment, Pannun, in a statement, said, “U.S. government has reassured its commitment to fundamental constitutional duty to protect the life, liberty and freedom of expression of the U.S. citizen at home and abroad.”
