Govt panel recommends legal action against ‘individual’ in Pannun assassination plot

The committee has recommended that the legal action must be completed expeditiously

A high-powered enquiry committee set up by the Union government to evaluate inputs from the United States about an alleged plan to target Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has finalised its report, suggesting legal action against "an individual", the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement.

The statement, however, does not specifically mention the name of the individual.

The enquiry committee was set up to investigate the individual's alleged links to the drug mafia and criminal groups after reports emerged of a 2023 plan to assassinate Pannun in the United States.

The MHA said on receipt of information provided by US authorities regarding activities of some organised criminal groups, terrorist organisations, drug peddlers, etc, who undermined the security interests of both India and the US, a high-powered enquiry committee was set up by the government of India in November 2023.

The committee conducted its own investigations, and also pursued leads provided by the US side and it received full cooperation from US authorities and the two sides also exchanged visits. It further examined a number of officials from different agencies and also scrutinised relevant documents in this connection.

"After a long enquiry, the Committee has submitted its report to the Government and recommended legal action against an individual, whose earlier criminal links and antecedents also came to notice during the enquiry," the statement said.

The committee has recommended that the legal action must be completed expeditiously.

"The Committee has further recommended functional improvements in systems and procedures as also initiation of steps that could strengthen India's response capability, ensure systematic controls and coordinated action in dealing with matters like this," the statement said.

US authorities previously provided information to the Indian government regarding the alleged involvement of Vikash Yadav, a former Indian official who has been formally indicted by a US public prosecutor for "directing a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen in New York City."

The Indian government formed a high-level committee on November 18 to investigate the matter thoroughly, including the information shared by the US about the alleged plot.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, recognised as a terrorist by India, holds citizenship in both the United States and Canada.