Ex-RAW staffer indicted in hire for murder plot

Public trial is sought by the US Justice Dept in Pannun case

- V Sudarshan

The formal charges against Vikash Yadav, now a former RAW employee, of directing a foiled bid last year to assassinate in New York, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US citizen who advocated secession of "Khalistan", brings to a conclusion a prolonged phase of behind-the-scenes discussions between New Delhi and Washington on what it terms "transnational aggression" followed by India.

Vikash, like Nikhil Gupta, who was charged last year, and extradited from Czech Republic to the United States, has been charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero. He is the judge who in 2020 famously stymied former President Donald Trump's efforts to keep his tax returns secret.

At his daily press briefing on October 16, the State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller said that the Indian inquiry committee set up to look into American allegations broadly updated the "members of the Committee of Inquiry about the investigation that the United States has been conducting. We've received an update from them on the investigation that they have been conducting. It was a productive meeting." Miller went on to add that "We are satisfied with the cooperation. It continues to be an ongoing process. We continue to work with them on that. We appreciate them updating us on their investigation as we update them on ours."