Gurpatwant Singh Pannun / File Photo

The unnamed government official who was accused of involvement in a thwarted plot to murder pro-Khalistan lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil has been identified as Vikram Yadav.

An investigative Washington Post (WaPo) report claimed that Yadav, a Research and Analysis Wing (Indian Government agency) was the official referred to as “CC-1” in the US indictment unsealed in November 2023.

The indictment accused 'CC-1' for  “forwarding details about the target” including his New York address. This plot was also linked to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada earlier.

The WaPo report also shed light on the alleged involvement of senior Indian officials in the assassination plot, including Samant Goel, the former RAW chief.

According to the publication, during the time of the planned assassination, Goel was purportedly under immense pressure to neutralize perceived Sikh extremist threats overseas. 

The report suggests that Ajit Doval, the national security adviser, may have been aware of or even approved RAW's plans, although concrete evidence of his involvement remains elusive.

Former Indian officials cited in the report indicate that Goel, in his capacity as RAW chief, would unlikely proceed with such operations without Doval's endorsement. However, the Indian government has yet to respond to these allegations.

Pannun, who serves as the general counsel for Sikhs for Justice, a New York-based organization, is classified as a terrorist by the Indian home ministry.

The report suggests that 'Yadav', a mid-career recruit from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), lacked the requisite training for such a sophisticated operation against US counterintelligence capabilities. Consequently, the hired middleman, Nikhil Gupta, inadvertently engaged an undercover US law enforcement officer, leading to the plot's unraveling.

Following the failed mission, internal discord reportedly erupted within RAW, with 'Yadav' being reassigned to the CRPF.

Moreover, the Washington Post highlights the Modi government's utilization of RAW to target Indian dissidents abroad, leading to arrests, expulsions, and reprimands of RAW operatives in countries such as Germany, the UK, and Australia.

India has initiated a high-level committee to investigate the US allegations, although specifics regarding the committee's composition or the progress of its inquiry remain undisclosed.

In response to the revelations, the Biden administration has urged restraint while pressuring India to hold those accountable for the plot. White House officials reportedly warned India in advance of the Washington Post's impending publication, emphasizing the need for swift action.

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated the call for a thorough investigation, underscoring the importance of accountability in the case.