‘We continue to wait…’: US calls for ‘significant accountability’ in India probe into Pannun murder-for-hire plot

The United States has said it will not be fully satisfied until there is “significant accountability” from India regarding investigations into the alleged foiled plot to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference, State Department Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel said: “We continue to wait and want to see accountability based on the results of this investigation and certainly the The United States will not be fully satisfied until there is meaningful accountability resulting from this investigation.”

Patel was responding to a question about last week’s visit of an Indian fact-finding committee to the US for talks.

“Last week there was a valuable engagement with India’s committee of inquiry and information was exchanged between our two governments to further our respective investigations. We understand that India’s committee of inquiry will continue their investigation and we look forward to seeing further steps based on last week’s discussions,” he added.

“Beyond that, I’m not going to go into this in any more detail given that this is an issue that is active and still under investigation and ongoing in both of our countries,” he said.

Patel’s comments came days after State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States was satisfied with India’s cooperation in the case.

Earlier on October 21, US authorities indicted a former Indian official for allegedly orchestrating a murder-for-hire scheme, but his family expressed disbelief at the claims, saying they were shocked to learn that Vikash Yadav was wanted by the FBI.

Yadav, 39, described the claims as false media reports when he spoke to his cousin, Avinash Yadav, the relative said. Reuters on Saturday in his ancestral village about 100 km (60 miles) from the capital, New Delhi.

His co-conspirator Nikhil Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic last year and is in a US prison after extradition.

Who is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun?

Pannun is a Canadian-American citizen who serves as the General Counsel of Sikhs for Justice. The pro-Khalistan lawyer has been a key organizer of non-binding referendums seeking a separate Sikh state, held in countries with large Indian diasporas, including Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.

(With input from agencies)