Vikash Yadav, a former employee of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), is in the global spotlight after being accused by the US of orchestrating a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The FBI has added Yadav to its most wanted list and has officially requested his extradition, marking a crucial development in the ongoing case.
According to the US indictment, Yadav’s alleged involvement in this assassination plot was coordinated remotely from India. The authorities claim that Yadav, previously a member of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) with specialized combat training, provided Nikhil Gupta—another Indian—with Pannun’s personal details, including his home address and phone numbers in New York. Gupta is said to have relayed this information to an undercover agent.
While the US is actively pursuing Yadav’s extradition, ongoing legal proceedings in India may delay or even thwart his transfer. The Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested Yadav on charges related to extortion and kidnapping tied to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. After spending four months in Tihar Jail, he was released on bail in April.
Legal experts emphasize that India is not obligated to extradite Yadav while he faces domestic charges, each carrying potential sentences of up to ten years. He would need to complete his trial and serve any sentence before extradition could occur.
This situation highlights the complexities involved in international extradition. Even with a formal request from the US, the process could take years. India’s legal system, potential political maneuvers, and the larger context of India-US relations will heavily influence the outcome of Yadav’s case.
The situation also brings up issues of diplomatic reciprocity. India might use this opportunity to advocate for the extradition of David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Rana, both linked to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. However, the US has a track record of delaying or rejecting India’s extradition requests. With 61 pending requests, the Yadav case could test the robustness of the India-US partnership.
Yadav’s current location remains uncertain, but the legal battle surrounding his case is far from resolved. The outcome will have significant ramifications not just for Yadav but also for India-US relations and the global fight against terrorism.