Amanat Spotlight: The Case of Vikash Yadav – An Accused Operative in a Foiled U.S. Assassination Plot

The name Vikash Yadav, once obscure outside security circles, has come to represent the growing concerns around transnational repression and covert state operations. In October 2024, Yadav was named in a U.S. federal indictment, accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S.-based Sikh separatist and legal advisor to the banned group Sikhs for Justice.

Vikash Yadav

This alleged plot, if proven true, could mark a dangerous precedent in international relations, involving the direct targeting of foreign nationals or residents on foreign soil.

Who Is Vikash Yadav?

According to U.S. court filings, Vikash Yadav is a former senior officer linked to India’s external intelligence agency, reportedly working in an unofficial capacity at the time of the conspiracy. The U.S. indictment describes him as the handler of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national who is now in U.S. custody and accused of acting as an intermediary between Yadav and a person he believed to be a hitman—who turned out to be an undercover agent.

Yadav is said to have directed and financed the operation, including providing surveillance data, logistical support, and a partial payment of $15,000 toward an agreed fee of $100,000 for Pannun’s assassination. The plan was ultimately foiled in coordination with international law enforcement agencies.

The Alleged Plot

The case documents reveal a carefully constructed chain of communications and encrypted messaging between Yadav, Gupta, and the supposed assassin. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic in mid-2023 and later extradited to the United States, where he now faces federal charges including conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, murder-for-hire, and money laundering.

Evidence submitted in court includes phone transcripts, digital surveillance, and bank transactions, all pointing toward the intent to eliminate a politically active figure who has been a long-time critic of the Indian government’s policy towards Sikhs.

Diplomatic Fallout

The case has added friction to the already tense diplomatic relationships between India and Western nations, especially the United States and Canada. Around the same time, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused Indian government-linked operatives of being involved in the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.

India has strongly denied all such allegations, maintaining that any individual acting outside official authority should be held personally accountable and does not reflect the actions of the Indian state. In response to the U.S. indictment, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that Yadav is not currently serving in any official capacity and that the matter is being reviewed seriously.

Legal & Political Implications

With Gupta in U.S. custody and facing trial, attention has now turned to Yadav, who remains at large. Extradition efforts are complicated by jurisdictional challenges and political sensitivities. However, the indictment signals a broader shift in how the U.S. intends to treat foreign interference and assassination plots on its soil.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has emphasized that political violence will not be tolerated, and the FBI continues to pursue foreign agents who attempt to suppress free speech through intimidation or violence.

Transnational Repression Concerns

This case is emblematic of a wider trend of alleged transnational repression—where states or their proxies are accused of attempting to harm or silence dissidents abroad. Analysts warn that such operations undermine diplomatic norms and pose serious threats to the sovereignty and security of host nations.

For the diaspora communities, especially those who have long advocated for regional independence or minority rights, this case is a chilling reminder that political activism—even when peaceful—can attract international risk.

Conclusion

The allegations against Vikash Yadav mark a significant turning point in global intelligence scrutiny. Whether or not Yadav is brought to justice, the case raises urgent questions about accountability, sovereignty, and the extent to which governments might go to control dissenting voices beyond their borders.

As the legal proceedings against Nikhil Gupta continue and diplomatic negotiations evolve, the world watches closely—aware that the outcomes of this case may shape future boundaries between national security, human rights, and international law.