A high-powered inquiry committee set by the Indian government to investigate information provided by the United States has recommended legal action against an individual, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Wednesday. The ministry said that the committee had been set up in November 2023 following information provided by the US regarding some organised criminal groups, terrorist organisations, drug peddlers, etc.
The ministry did not identify the nature or the details of the information provided by the US. However, the timeline mentioned in its statement suggests that it is to do with an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.
In November 2023, the US Department of Justice said it had unearthed a plot to assassinate Pannun that was allegedly orchestrated by a person in the employment of the Indian government. In later revelations, the person in question was identified as an agent of Indias external spy agency R&AW who allegedly attempted to hire a contract killer to murder Pannun.
In response to the US allegations, India said it had set up a high-powered inquiry committee to investigate the issue.
The US has charged Vikash Yadav, a former officer of India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), for allegedly orchestrating a failed plot to assassinate Pannun.The US Justice Department has charged a former Indian intelligence officer with murder-for-hire and money laundering.
Yadav, wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell. Yadav was detained in connection with an attempted murder and kidnapping case.
