Unfair and unproven… India said on the report of conspiracy to murder Pannu

India has reacted sharply to the 'Washington Post' report in the case of Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The Foreign Ministry has called the report unfair and unproven. It was further said that the government's speculations and irresponsible comments on the networks of organized criminals, terrorists and others are not correct.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannu

India has reacted sharply to a report by 'Washington Post' on the alleged conspiracy to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in America. Calling the report unfair and unsubstantiated, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Tuesday that a high-level committee constituted by the Government of India is investigating. The government's speculations and irresponsible comments on the networks of organized criminals, terrorists and others are not correct.

The report of 'Washington Post' claimed that a RAW officer named Vikram Yadav in America was involved in the conspiracy to murder Pannu. This move was approved by Samant Goyal, the then head of the Indian spy agency. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is one of the prominent leaders of the Khalistan movement. He is the legal advisor and spokesperson of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The aim of SFJ is to promote the idea of a separate Sikh nation. The Indian government has declared Pannu a terrorist.

What did the White House say?

Earlier, on the report of 'Washington Post', White House Press Secretary Jean-Pierre said, investigation is underway and the Justice Department is conducting a criminal investigation. He said that India is an important strategic partner for America and we are pursuing an ambitious agenda to enhance our cooperation in many areas.

Jean-Pierre said, we have discussed this continuously and expressed our views many times, whether here in the meeting with the Prime Minister or in any meeting abroad. He said, this is a serious matter and we are taking it very seriously. The Government of India has told us very clearly that they are taking this seriously and will investigate it.

What is the whole matter?

Last year, a report claimed that a conspiracy was hatched in America to assassinate Pannu, which was foiled by America. It was said that America had also raised this matter with the Indian government. In the case, an Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta was accused of allegedly conspiring to murder Pannu.

US officials had alleged that Nikhil Gupta had agreed to pay US $ 100,000 to an assassin to kill Pannu, a Sikh separatist living in New York City. Out of this, advance payment of 15 thousand dollars was made on June 9, 2023. But the person who was hired for this work was an intelligence agent of an American agency.