America sought information about Vikas Yadav, officials in touch with MEA consular office
America seems to be more active in the case of Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. It is believed that America has sought information about Vikas Yadav from India. Vikas Yadav was accused by US officials for his alleged role in the failed conspiracy to kill Sikh separatist GS Pannu. According to information received by our associate newspaper Economic Times, preliminary talks have started after the US Justice Department announced charges against Vikas Yadav, who is associated with the Cabinet Secretariat, on Friday.
America can also contact the Counselor Section of the Ministry of External Affairs in this matter. However, America cannot seek Yadav’s extradition without any court order. Sources also said that since a legal case is registered against Yadav in India, his extradition is not possible as long as he is serving his sentence here and it may take several years.
India-US Extradition Treaty
India-US signed the Extradition Treaty in 1997. A key section of the treaty states, “While extradition shall not be granted for a political offence, the following shall not be considered political offences. This includes murder or other intentional offence against the Head of State or Head of Government or a member of their family, aircraft hijacking offence, aviation sabotage, offences against internationally protected persons, including diplomats, hostage-taking, offences relating to illicit drugs, or any other offence for which both Contracting States have an obligation to extradite the person in accordance with a multilateral international agreement.”
Alleged conspiracy to murder Pannu
The 61 extradition requests sent by India to the US have not yet been accepted. Yadav, 39, was earlier referred to as ‘CC-1’ in the original indictment of 2023 but was not named at that time. Yadav is accused of recruiting Nikhil Gupta – who is currently imprisoned in the US – to help plot the murder. The US Justice Department has formally named Yadav in the second superseded indictment. which was opened in the Southern District of New York.
Included in the FBI’s wanted list
The US investigative agency has alleged that Yadav abused his authority and used confidential information to coordinate an assassination attempt on a prominent Indian government critic on US soil. The FBI has added Yadav to its wanted list after a federal arrest warrant was issued in the Southern District of New York. He is accused of conspiracy to commit murder for hire and money laundering.
