• Source:JND
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Vikas Yadav, a former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer, has been charged by US authorities for plotting the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. The US Department of Justice (DoJ) announced criminal charges against the 39-year-old former operative of the RAW, India's foreign intelligence agency, housed by the Cabinet Secretariat.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday, responding to the question on the US charges against an Indian national in the Pannun assassination plot, said that the individual is no longer employed with the government of India.

"The US State Department informed us about the individual in the Justice Department indictment. I confirm that he is no longer an employee of the Government of India," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a press conference on Thursday.

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Friday put Yadav on the list of "wanted" fugitives and asked people to inform the federal agency if they locate him.

Who Is Vikas Yadav

Vikas Yadav, a former Indian RAW officer, was named in the US Department of Justice indictment in the foiled Pannun murder plot as an accused. He has been charged with murder-for-hire and money laundering offences in connection with the failed assassination plot.

Vikas Yadav has been identified as a co-conspirator in the case along with Nikhil Gupta (56). 'He remains at large," the DoJ said.

What Are FBI Charges Against Vikas Yadav

"The defendant, an Indian government employee, allegedly conspired with a criminal associate and attempted to assassinate a US citizen on American soil for exercising their First Amendment rights,” FBI Chief Christopher Wray said.

A wanted poster with three pictures of Yadav has also been posted on its website which listed the offence allegedly committed and the charges against Vikas Yadav.

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"Yadav is an Indian national based in India and used "Amanat" as an alias when communicating with his co-conspirator, another Indian national, to facilitate the murder plot," the release stated, adding that he allegedly provided information, such as the victim's residential addresses, phone numbers, and other identifying information, along with USD 15,000 to the Indian national in furtherance of the plot.

"...he was charged with Murder-For-Hire, Conspiracy to Commit Murder-For-Hire, and Money Laundering Conspiracy," the release stated.