Vikash Yadav,&nbsp;who last month was charged by the Department of Justice (DoJ) in the "murder-for-hire" case linked to pro-Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has been granted an unexpected break from attending his ongoing trial.

Yadav had moved an application before a Delhi court requesting an exemption from attending his case hearing, citing a threat to his life.

A Delhi court, after reviewing his application citing significant security risks, exempted him from attending hearings until February 3, 2025. His lawyer, R K Handoo, filed the plea, asserting that there was a false case registered against Yadav by the Delhi Police.&nbsp;It also claimed that Yadav's life was in jeopardy due to personal details – including his photographs and home address – being circulated publicly.

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To support the claims, they attacked news reports that showed his picture. He also claimed that because of the threat to his life, he could not even join the hearing through videoconferencing, as his location may get traced.&nbsp;

<h2>Allegations against Yadav</h2>

Yadav’s troubles first erupted in December 2023, when he was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell in connection with a kidnapping and extortion case.&nbsp;

Just weeks earlier, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) had identified him as “CC-1” (co-conspirator) in the alleged murder-for-hire plot. According to US authorities, Yadav was allegedly working for the "government of India's Cabinet Secretariat, which is a part of the Indian Prime Minister’s Office." However, the Ministry of External Affairs swiftly denied this, asserting that he was "no longer an employee of the government of India".&nbsp;

Released on bail in April after a four-month stint in Tihar Jail, Yadav, in October, was added by the FBI's New York office to its wanted list. &nbsp;

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<h2>Yadav's security fears</h2>

In his two-page application to the Delhi court, Yadav described his escalating fears for personal safety. He explained that his photos, house details, and other private information were now public, heightening the threat to his life.&nbsp;

The court, taking these claims seriously, granted Yadav the requested exemption. He now has until February 2025 to prepare for his next appearance.&nbsp;

Speaking to The Indian Express, Yadav's lawyer said,&nbsp;"There is a security threat to his life, and we have moved an application for exemption from the court hearing. The court has approved his request and gave him exemption." &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Vikash Yadav, who last month was charged by the Department of Justice (DoJ) in the "murder-for-hire" case linked to pro-Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has been granted an unexpected break from attending his ongoing trial.

Vikash Yadav, who last month was charged by the Department of Justice (DoJ) in the "murder-for-hire" case linked to pro-Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has been granted an unexpected break from attending his ongoing trial. Yadav had moved an application before a Delhi court requesting an exemption from attending his case hearing, citing a threat to his life. A Delhi court, after reviewing his application citing significant security risks, exempted him from attending hearings until February 3, 2025. His lawyer, R K Handoo, filed the plea, asserting that there was a false case registered against Yadav by the Delhi Police. It also claimed that Yadav's life was in jeopardy due to personal details – including his photographs and home address – being circulated publicly. Also read | India: EC asks BJP, Congress chiefs to comment on complaints filed by both parties for alleged poll violation To support the claims, they attacked news reports that showed his picture. He also claimed that because of the threat to his life, he could not even join the hearing through videoconferencing, as his location may get traced. Allegations against Yadav Yadav’s troubles first erupted in December 2023, when he was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell in connection with a kidnapping and extortion case. Just weeks earlier, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) had identified him as “CC-1” (co-conspirator) in the alleged murder-for-hire plot. According to US authorities, Yadav was allegedly working for the "government of India's Cabinet Secretariat, which is a part of the Indian Prime Minister’s Office." However, the Ministry of External Affairs swiftly denied this, asserting that he was "no longer an employee of the government of India". Released on bail in April after a four-month stint in Tihar Jail, Yadav, in October, was added by the FBI's New York office to its wanted list. Also read | India: Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi compares PM Modi to Biden over ‘memory loss’ Yadav's security fears In his two-page application to the Delhi court, Yadav described his escalating fears for personal safety. He explained that his photos, house details, and other private information were now public, heightening the threat to his life. The court, taking these claims seriously, granted Yadav the requested exemption. He now has until February 2025 to prepare for his next appearance. Speaking to The Indian Express, Yadav's lawyer said, "There is a security threat to his life, and we have moved an application for exemption from the court hearing. The court has approved his request and gave him exemption." (With inputs from agencies)

Vikash Yadav, accused in Pannun murder plot, claims risk to life; gets exemption from attending hearing

The United States, on Thursday (Oct 17) accused Vikash Yadav, a former Indian intelligence officer, of planning an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who lives in New York City.

The United States, on Thursday (Oct 17) accused Vikash Yadav, a former Indian intelligence officer, of planning an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who lives in New York City. The US Justice Department has charged Yadav with murder-for-hire and money laundering. “Today’s charges demonstrate that the Justice Department will not tolerate attempts to target and endanger Americans and to undermine the rights to which every US citizen is entitled," said US Attorney General Merrick Garland. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Yadav worked with Nikhil Gupta, a co-conspirator who has already been arrested and extradited from the Czech Republic to the US for trial. However, Yadav remains at large, and a federal warrant for his arrest was issued on October 10. Also read: Gaza war: Who will be the next Hamas leader after Yahya Sinwar's killing? The plot is said to have started in May 2023, when Yadav, who was allegedly employed by the Indian government at the time, worked with people both in India and abroad to carry out the assassination. US officials are expected to seek his extradition, according to news agency Reuters. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the "individual" mentioned in the US indictment is no longer linked to the Indian government. "The US State Department informed us that the individual named in the indictment no longer works for India. I can confirm he is no longer employed by the Government of India," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Who is Vikash Yadav? Born in 1984 in the Indian state of Haryana, Yadav has a background in security and intelligence. The FBI’s wanted poster said that Yadav used the alias "Amanat" to communicate with Gupta as part of the plan to assassinate Pannun. Yadav was identified as 'CC-1' (co-conspirator 1) in the first indictment. The document also described Yadav as a 'senior field officer' responsible for 'security management' and 'intelligence.' He had previously served in India’s Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as an assistant commandant and had been trained in 'battle craft' and 'weapons.' Images in the indictment show Yadav in Army combat gear. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Vikash Yadav? Ex-Indian intelligence officer charged in failed Pannun assassination plot

The United States has charged a former Indian official for his role in a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader. 39-year-old Vikash Yadav is charged with conspiracy to commit murder for hire and money laundering. He's the second Indian national after Nikhil Gupta to be charged in the alleged plot to kill Pannun.

FBI Releases Wanted Poster For Vikash Yadav

Federal prosecutors in the United States (US) charged an Indian national in the plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, American media reported on Thursday (Oct 17).

Federal prosecutors in the United States (US) charged an Indian national in the plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, American media reported on Thursday (Oct 17). The Indian national was identified as Vikash Yadav, 39. An indictment unsealed in Manhattan on Thursday said that Yadav “directed the assassination plot from India” that targeted Pannun, a report by The New York Times (NYT) said. Indictment: Yadav is an officer in Indian intelligence Citing the indictment, the report said that Yadav called himself a senior field officer in the part of the Indian government that includes its foreign intelligence service, known as the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). Also read | Canada to impose sanctions on India? Experts say ‘sick man’ shouldn’t punch above its weight As per authorities, Yadav recruited an associate to find a US-based criminal to arrange the murder of Pannun. Last year, prosecutors charged Nikhil Gupta, the man accused of being Yadav’s henchman, and said Gupta had acted under instructions from an unidentified employee of the Indian government. Now, prosecutors have charged Yadav with orchestrating the plot. The indictment described Pannun as a political activist, a critic of the Indian government and an advocate for a separate homeland for Sikhs. Pannun welcomes indictment In a statement on Thursday, Pannun welcomed the indictment of Yadav but described him as a "mid-tier soldier" who the Khalistani terrorist alleged was assigned by Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and then RAW Chief Samant Goel as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal to dismantle Sikh separatism. These developments come after Canada on Monday expelled Indian diplomats, linking them to the 2023 murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. India also ordered the expulsion of Canadian diplomats and denied Canada's allegations. (With inputs from agencies)

US charges Indian national in plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun: Report

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Vikash Yadav, accused in Pannun murder plot, claims risk to life; gets exemption from attending hearing

Who is Vikash Yadav? Ex-Indian intelligence officer charged in failed Pannun assassination plot

FBI Releases Wanted Poster For Vikash Yadav

US charges Indian national in plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun: Report