Pannun murder plot: Another 'Indian agent' involved, claims SFJ

The Sikhs for Justice stated that the money was arranged by Vikash Yadav and was handed over to 'GS' who was supposed to pay the hitman -- a double agent and DEA informant.

Khalistani separatist organisation, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has released a document from a US court claiming to have identified an "Indian agent" involved in the plot to murder separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

According to the report by Times of India, the document refers to an agent 'GS' who had allegedly paid $15,000 to assassinate Pannun.

In 2023 the US alleged that Indian intelligence agents tried to murder Pannu, which India has denied. Former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) operative Vikash Yadav was named by the US in connection with the failed assassination attempt on Pannun besides extraditing another Indian national Nikhil Gupta from the Czech Republic.

The SFJ stated that the money was arranged by Vikash Yadav and was handed over to 'GS' who was supposed to pay the hitman who was a double agent and DEA informant. As per the report, the US Department of Justice had taken action to forfeit the sum.

The document, "Govt's forfeiture bill of particulars" outlines the details of the forfeiture, It reads, "Pursuant to US vs Grammatikos (24 Cir. 1980), the govt respectfully gives notice that the property subjected to forfeiture as a result of the offenses described in Counts One through Three of the above-captioned indictment, and as alleged in the forfeiture allegation and or substitute asset provisions therein, includes the following: $15.00 in US currency scared on or about June 9, 2024 from an individual, GS in the area of 27th Street and 11th Avenue, in New York."

Nikhil Gupta who has been arrested by US law enforcement will go on trial mid this year. In June 2023, Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic and extradited to the US. To the charges of murder for hire and conspiracy, he pled guilty. In November 2023, he was named in a US DoJ indictment for attempting to hire a hitman and conspiring with others in India to assassinate Pannun. The attempt was allegedly foiled by US law enforcement.

Gupta was ordered by a court along with the prosecution to submit a joint letter proposing a trial date in June or July.

(With DH inputs)