Vikash Yadav, wanted by the United States's FBI for allegedly plotting the murder of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, was arrested 10 months ago by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police in connection with an attempted murder and kidnapping case. The complainant, a Delhi-based businessman, also linked him to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
Another person was also arrested along with Vikash in the case registered in December 2023. Vikash got bail in April 2024. The arrest came weeks after Vikash was mentioned by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) as "CC-1" (co-conspirator) in the "murder-for-hire" case.
The case first came to light when the businessman lodged a complaint with Delhi Police in December 2023. The businessman claimed he was introduced to Vikash in November by an acquaintance who claimed he was a senior government officer.
The businessman, who runs an IT company and has contacts with several Indians in West Asia, soon developed a friendship with Vikash and they exchanged numbers. In his complaint, the businessman said Vikash told him that he was an undercover agent but never shared information about his work and office.
The businessman said Vikash called him to Lodhi Road on December 11 under the pretence of discussing an important issue. Upon arrival, the businessman was abducted by Vikash and another individual and taken to a flat in the Defence Colony area.
According to the businessman, Vikash revealed that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi had given him a contract to kill him. The businessman was assaulted and his gold chain and rings were snatched. The businessman was then taken to his café and all the cash was taken away by Vikash and his accomplice.
After threatening the businessman with dire consequences if he reported the crime, Yadav and his accomplice abandoned him on the roadside and left.
On December 18, following the businessman's complaint, Delhi Police arrested Vikash and his accomplice. A case was registered under charges of kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, and attempted murder.
During interrogation, Vikash's accomplice revealed that he had suffered financial losses in his business of selling old vehicles. Vikash claimed that his father had served in the Border Security Force (BSF) and passed away in 2007 and admitted to targeting the businessman for financial gain.
Earlier this week, US prosecutors named Vikash Yadav as the Indian official behind the alleged Pannun murder plot and charged him with "murder-for-hire and money laundering". The US said Yadav was a former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer. Releasing his pictures, the FBI said his place of birth was Pranpura in Haryana.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the person mentioned in the US indictment was no longer employed by the Indian government.
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