Yesterday‚ the Justice Department revealed charges against Vikash Yadav‚ an Indian government worker‚ for his supposed involvement in a scheme to murder a Sikh separatist leader in New York City. This case sheds light on the increasing friction between India and Western countries regarding the alleged targeting of Sikh activists abroad.
Yadav‚ 39‚ is facing murder-for-hire charges for a plot that prosecutors first mentioned about a year ago. The plan was supposedly meant to be the start of a series of politically-motivated killings in the US and Canada. Although Yadav is still on the run‚ the Biden administrationʼs decision to name him publicly is seen as a way to call out the Indian government for criminal activities.
Christopher Wray‚ the FBI Director‚ stated: “The FBI wont tolerate acts of violence or other efforts to retaliate against those residing in the US for exercising their constitutionally protected rights“
The charges were announced while two members of an Indian inquiry committee were in Washington‚ meeting with US officials about the investigation. Matthew Miller‚ a State Department spokesman‚ mentioned that the Indian government informed them that Yadav is no longer their employee.
This week‚ Canada expelled Indias top diplomat and five others‚ claiming they were involved in the assassination of a Sikh activist there. Justin Trudeau‚ the Prime Minister‚ alleged that Indian diplomats were sharing information about Sikh separatists with their government‚ which was then passed to Indian organized crime groups targeting the activists.
India has dismissed these accusations as ridiculous and‚ in response‚ expelled Canadas acting high commissioner and five other diplomats.
The indictment states that Yadav recruited Nikhil Gupta about one and a half years ago to arrange the assassination. Gupta‚ who was extradited to the US from the Czech Republic in June‚ contacted an individual he thought was a criminal associate but was actually a confidential source working with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The attempt on my life on American Soil is the blatant case of Indiaʼs transnational terrorism which has become a challenge to Americaʼs sovereignty and threat to freedom of speech and democracy
The case continues to unfold‚ highlighting the complex international relations and security concerns surrounding Sikh separatist movements