Family of Vikash Yadav, spy for India's RAW, denies US murder-for-hire charges

US places Vikash Yadav, 39, on its 'Wanted' list for failed plot to kill Pannun; hitman offered $15,000 for the job.

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The family of Vikash Yadav, a former Indian government official, has rejected allegations made against him following his indictment by the United States in a murder-for-hire case linked to the Sikh leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

The US government has placed Yadav, 39, on its ‘Wanted’ list, accusing him of orchestrating an unsuccessful plot to kill Pannun last year.

In a statement relayed through his cousin, Avinash Yadav, Vikash described the claims as "false media reports." Speaking from their ancestral village, located about 100 km (60 miles) from New Delhi, Avinash Yadav noted, "The family has no information about him working for the spy agency. He never mentioned anything about it."

The US Department of Justice's indictment alleges that Yadav directed another Indian citizen, Nikhil Gupta, who reportedly paid a hitman $15,000 to carry out the murder.

Avinash Yadav, 28, pointed to their modest home in Pranpura, Haryana, and questioned the financial claims, saying, “Where will so much money come from? Can you see any Audis and Mercedes lined up outside this house?”

Vikash Yadav was an official of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), according to the unsealed indictment.

Indian authorities stated that they were investigating the allegations but confirmed that Yadav was no longer a government employee.

They did not clarify his past role as an intelligence officer.

His mother, Sudesh Yadav, 65, expressed her shock at the situation, stating, “What can I say? I do not know whether the US government is telling the truth or not.”

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that the US is expected to seek Yadav’s extradition, as Indian officials have not disclosed his current whereabouts.

Avinash Yadav asserted that Vikash is still working for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), having joined the organization in 2009. “He told us he is deputy commandant and was trained as a paratrooper,” he said.

The village of Pranpura has a tradition of sending young men to serve in the security forces, reflecting the family’s long-standing ties to law enforcement.

Vikash's father was an officer with India’s border force until his passing in 2007, and his brother currently serves with the Haryana police.