US seeks action against Indian police officer in assassination plot

Washington: The United States has requested action from India against an Indian police officer linked to a failed assassination attempt on pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the Sikhs for Justice (SJF).

The US Department of Justice has identified this officer in connection with the case.

An Indian inquiry committee, led by the Deputy National Security Advisor, has arrived in Washington, DC to investigate.

The State Department said, “On October 14, the Indian side was actively investigating the individual named in the US Department of Justice charges as an ’employee of the Government of India’ who unsuccessfully plotted to assassinate an American citizen in New York City.”

Referred to as ‘CC-1’ by the Department of Justice, this individual is a police officer who was previously stationed in North America and is currently in India.

Sources indicate that India is also looking into the connections of a former government servant and is prepared to take further action if necessary.

In September, a federal court in New York issued summonses against the Indian government, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and others based on a lawsuit filed by Pannun.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs responded by describing the US action as “completely unwarranted and baseless allegations.”

The summons also include former RAW chief Samant Goel, RAW officer Vikram Yadav, and Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta, who is currently in US custody in connection with the case.