• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Tue, 15 Oct 2024 12:03 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Pannun Assassination Plot Probe: An enquiry panel constituted by India to probe the American allegation of the involvement of an Indian government employee in an allegedly unsuccesful bid to assassinate India-designated Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun will be visiting the US on Tuesday, according to the US Department of State, which did not name the intended target of the 'foiled plot' and instead described him as a "US national".

"The Enquiry Committee will be travelling to Washington, DC on October 15th, as part of their ongoing investigations to discuss the case, including information they have obtained, and to receive an update from US authorities regarding the US case that is proceeding," an official media release said on Monday.

The Committee was established by India to investigate the activities of certain organised criminals and is actively investigating the individual who was identified last year in the Department of Justice's indictment as an Indian government employee who directed a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen in New York City, news agency PTI noted.

"Additionally, India has informed the United States they are continuing their efforts to investigate other linkages of the former government employee and will determine follow-up steps, as necessary," PTI quoted the State Department communique as saying.

Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta has been accused by US federal prosecutors of plotting with an Indian government official to kill Pannun. The 52-year-old was arrested in the Czech Republic last year at the request of the US government. He was extradited to the US in June this year. 

Though India has firmly distanced itself from the alleged plot against Pannun, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has constituted an internal investigations team to look into Washington's allegations.

(With inputs from agencies)