New Delhi: Vikas Yadav, a former officer of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and now on the FBI’s wanted list, was arrested by Delhi Police in December 2023 on charges of attempted murder and kidnapping. The arrest follows his alleged involvement in a kidnapping incident in Delhi, and a U.S. indictment connecting him to a botched plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Delhi Kidnapping Case
Yadav was arrested on December 18, 2023, after a businessman from Rohini lodged a complaint alleging kidnapping and extortion. The complainant, who had been introduced to Yadav as a “senior government officer,” claimed that Yadav invited him to a meeting on Lodhi Road. Upon arrival, Yadav and an accomplice forcibly kidnapped him and took him to an apartment in Defence Colony.
During the confinement, Yadav allegedly claimed that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi had contracted him to kill the businessman. His associate assaulted the victim, stole his gold jewelry, and looted cash from his café before releasing him with threats of retaliation if he reported the crime.
Yadav and his accomplice were arrested, and police filed a chargesheet in March 2024. Despite the severity of the allegations, Yadav was granted bail in April 2024.
US Indictment: Murder-for-Hire Plot
The U.S. Department of Justice has now unsealed charges against Yadav in connection with a murder-for-hire plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani separatist leader with dual U.S.-Canadian citizenship. The indictment reveals that Yadav allegedly hired Nikhil Gupta, promising to help dismiss Gupta’s legal troubles in exchange for orchestrating the assassination.
- Encrypted Messages: Yadav contacted Gupta using an encrypted app, identifying himself as “Aman.”
- $100,000 Contract: They reportedly hired a hitman for $100,000 and paid an advance of $15,000 through an associate.
- Undercover Sting: Unbeknownst to them, the hitman was an undercover U.S. law enforcement officer.
Gupta was arrested in Czech Republic and extradited to the U.S. in June 2024. His testimony corroborates Yadav’s involvement, placing the former spy as the mastermind of the plot.
Official Statements
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Thursday that Vikas Yadav is no longer employed by the Indian government. However, the U.S. charges, which include conspiracy to hire a hitman, murder-for-hire, and money laundering, complicate the diplomatic scenario.
Impact and Fallout
Yadav’s dual legal battles—one in India and another in the U.S.—underscore the complex web of crime, espionage, and geopolitical intrigue. His ties to India’s intelligence services raise concerns over national security protocols and the misuse of state resources.
With multiple jurisdictions involved, Yadav faces an uncertain future as Interpol and international courts collaborate to ensure justice.
