Indian RAW Official Accused of Plotting to Assassinate Sikh Separatist in the US: US Department of Justice Allegations
On October 18, the United States Department of Justice made a damning accusation against an Indian official employed by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s foreign intelligence agency. The official, Vikas Yadav, 39, is accused of conspiring to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader, a U.S. citizen, last summer during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the U.S. The indictment, filed in a New York court, has drawn widespread attention and put a strain on U.S.-India relations.
The indictment claims that Yadav, who was employed by the Cabinet Secretariat in India, was involved in a murder-for-hire plot aimed at silencing the vocal Sikh separatist leader, a U.S. citizen advocating for the establishment of Khalistan, a separate Sikh state. While Yadav is reportedly no longer employed by the Indian government, federal prosecutors have charged him with multiple crimes, including conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and money laundering. As of now, Yadav “remains at large,” according to the Department of Justice, while his co-conspirator, Nikhil Gupta, has been arrested in Czechoslovakia and extradited to the U.S., where he remains in custody.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland condemned the alleged plot, stating, “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.” FBI Director Christopher Wray echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the severity of the situation, which involves an Indian government employee allegedly conspiring with criminal associates to assassinate a U.S. citizen on American soil.
The Indian government has denied any involvement in the plot, insisting that it has no association with such activities. Following the accusations, New Delhi initiated an internal investigation to address the allegations. U.S. officials, including representatives from the FBI, Department of Justice, and State Department, have engaged in meetings with their Indian counterparts to discuss the case. According to State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, the U.S. government is satisfied with India’s cooperation and efforts to investigate the matter, characterizing the meetings as productive.
Miller further explained, “We appreciate the cooperation, and we appreciate them updating us on their investigation as we update them on ours.” During the meeting, it was revealed that Yadav, named in the indictment, is no longer employed by the Indian government. Despite India’s internal probe, the U.S. has continued its investigation into the assassination plot, highlighting the gravity of the charges and the potential diplomatic ramifications.
The indictment, which spans 18 pages, provides compelling evidence of the alleged conspiracy, including photographs of Yadav in military attire and images of two individuals exchanging money in a car in New York. Prosecutors claim that this transaction represents an advance payment of $15,000 for the assassination, allegedly delivered by someone acting on behalf of Gupta and Yadav. The photograph is dated June 9, 2023, just weeks before Prime Minister Modi’s historic state visit to the U.S. in June. According to the indictment, Yadav instructed his co-conspirators not to carry out the assassination before or during Modi’s visit, likely in an attempt to avoid drawing international scrutiny during a high-profile diplomatic event.
The U.S. Department of Justice has not revealed the name of the intended victim, but it is known that the target is a prominent Sikh separatist and vocal critic of the Indian government. The victim leads a U.S.-based organization advocating for the secession of Punjab, a state in northern India with a significant Sikh population. This movement, known as the Khalistan movement, has been a contentious issue in India for decades. The Indian government has banned the victim and his organization from entering the country, viewing them as a threat to national unity. Despite these tensions, the U.S. remains committed to protecting its citizens’ First Amendment rights, including their right to free speech and political activism.
The indictment also suggests a potential connection between this assassination plot and the murder of another Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada during the same period. Canadian authorities had previously accused Indian agents of involvement in Nijjar’s killing, further complicating relations between India and Western nations. The U.S. indictment references communications between Yadav, Gupta, and the hired assassin, indicating that the plot to kill the U.S. victim may have been part of a broader campaign targeting Sikh separatist leaders abroad.
One of the key pieces of evidence cited in the indictment is a message allegedly sent by Yadav to Gupta, instructing him to confirm the victim’s location before proceeding with the assassination. The message read, “Let them also verify by their own… if they are able to get some proof that he is inside..it will be a go ahead from us.” This chilling communication, prosecutors argue, demonstrates Yadav’s direct involvement in planning the murder.
The revelation of the assassination plot has sparked outrage within the Sikh diaspora and among human rights groups. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, general counsel for the Sikh separatist organization Sikhs for Justice, issued a statement praising the U.S. government’s actions. “By indicting RAW Official Vikash Yadav in a ‘Murder For Hire’ plot, the U.S. government has reassured its commitment to the fundamental constitutional duty to protect the life, liberty, and freedom of expression of U.S. citizens at home and abroad,” Pannun said.
As the legal proceedings unfold, this case is likely to have significant diplomatic implications for U.S.-India relations. The alleged involvement of an Indian government official in a plot to assassinate a U.S. citizen on American soil raises serious questions about the actions of India’s intelligence agencies and their operations abroad. While the Indian government has distanced itself from the plot and is cooperating with U.S. authorities, the indictment marks a troubling chapter in the ongoing tensions surrounding the Khalistan movement and the rights of Sikh separatists to express their political beliefs without fear of reprisal.
The indictment serves as a reminder of the U.S. government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of its citizens, regardless of their political affiliations or views. As this case continues to develop, it will be closely watched by both U.S. and Indian authorities, as well as the global Sikh community.