• By Aditya Jha
  • Sun, 20 Oct 2024 04:34 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

The family of a former Indian government employee, Vikash Yadav, has rejected the allegations of the US government that suggested he was involved in the murder plot against Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The family alleged that the US government has not been telling the truth. 

Sudesh Yadav, 65-year-old mother of Vikash, said that it was hard for her to accept the allegations and was still in shock because of the media reports. She claimed that Vikash was working for the country all the while and that the US government's claims were not true. Vikash Yadav, 39, described the media reports as false when he spoke to his cousin, Avinash Yadav, the relative told Reuters on Saturday.

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Avinash Yadav said, "We want the Indian government to support us, they should inform us what has happened. Otherwise where will we go?"

"What can I say? I do not know whether the US government is telling the truth or not. He has been working for the country," she told Reuters.

Earlier, the US government indicted Vikash Yadav for allegedly taking part in the alleged plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States. According to the indictment, Vikash was an official of India's Research and Analysis Wing spy service. He was charged with leading an unsuccessful plot to murder Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun last year.

His cousins claimed that the family was living a lowkey life in a village in Haryana. He further said that the family would have been very rich if he was involved in a high-profile case. "Where will so much money come from? Can you see any Audis and Mercedes lined up outside this house?" he said.

Another cousin claimed that they had no idea about Vikash's involvement in any such case. "Only the government of India and Vikas know what has happened," said Amit Yadav.

The Washington Post, citing American officials, reported on Thursday that Vikash Yadav was still in India and that the US was expected to seek his extradition. However, Indian officials have not commented on the case yet. The officials have not spoken on the whereabouts of the accused either. Vikash' brother works with the Haryana police, and his father passed away in 2007.