Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
India

Matter of concern, contrary to govt's policy: India reacts to US in SFJ's Pannun case

Darpan News Desk IANS, 30 Nov, 2023 05:33 PM
  • Matter of concern, contrary to govt's policy: India reacts to US in SFJ's Pannun case

New Delhi, Nov 30 (IANS) A day after the US federal prosecutors accused an Indian intelligence official of "planning and directing" a plot from India to allegedly kill Khalistan leader and founder of the organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York, the India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that it was a “matter of concern” and “contrary to Indian government’s policy”.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "As we have informed earlier, during the course of discussions with the US on bilateral security cooperation, the US side shared some inputs pertaining to nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists and others. We take such inputs seriously, and a high-level Enquiry Committee has been constituted to look into all the relevant aspects of the matter and necessary follow-up action will be taken based on the findings of the Enquiry Committee.

"We cannot share any further information on such security matters," Bagchi said.

He said that as regards the case against an individual that has been filed in a US court, allegedly linking him to an Indian official, this is a "matter of concern".

"We have said, and let me reiterate, that this is also contrary to the government policy," the MEA official said.

Bagchi said, "The nexus between organised crime, trafficking, gun running and extremists at an international level is also a serious issue for law enforcement agencies to consider. It is precisely for this reason that a high-level Enquiry Committee has been constituted. We will obviously be guided by its results."

The remarks from the MEA came after the US prosecutors on Wednesday announced murder-for-hire charges against Indian national Nikhil Gupta for involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen allegedly on behalf of an Indian government employee.

Gupta was arrested by Czech authorities on June 30 in response to a request by the US under an extradition treaty, according to a statement issued by the office of the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams.

The charges were announced in a superseding indictment unsealed on Wednesday.

Gupta, who is a resident of India, is alleged to be involved in international narcotics and weapons trafficking.

The indictment describes him as an associate of an Indian government employee who has not been identified by name, but is allegedly an Indian government agency employee who, the US Attorney’s office has said, has variously described himself as a "Senior Field Officer" with responsibilities in "Security Management" and "Intelligence", and who also has referenced previously serving in India’s Central Reserve Police Force and receiving "officer training" in "battle craft" and "weapons".

This employee has been called "CC-1" in the indictment, which alleged he "was employed at all times relevant to the indictment by the Indian government, resides in India, and directed the assassination plot from India".

The target of the assassination plot has also not been identified in the indictment. But he has been described as a lawyer who has been advocating secession of Punjab and that he has been a strident critic of the Indian government.

The man is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a New York resident who heads an organisation called SFJ. "As alleged, the defendant conspired from India to assassinate, right here in New York City, a US citizen of Indian origin who has publicly advocated for the establishment of a sovereign state for Sikhs, an ethno-religious minority group in India," said US Attorney Williams.

MORE India ARTICLES

Sonia Gandhi to arrive in Mumbai on her 4th visit in 24 years

Sonia Gandhi to arrive in Mumbai on her 4th visit in 24 years
This will be Sonia Gandhi’s first visit to Mumbai in nine years and just her fourth in 24 years to the country’s commercial capital, making it “a very exciting and special occasion” for the state unit, high-level party sources said.  

Sonia Gandhi to arrive in Mumbai on her 4th visit in 24 years

52L plants planted ahead of G20 Summit, says Delhi Minister

52L plants planted ahead of G20 Summit, says Delhi Minister
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday that 21 different government departments worked together to plant 52 lakh plants, resulting in a greener and cleaner Delhi ahead of the G20 Summit. He mentioned that a team of 300 officials and employees from the forest department had been engaged in beautifying the national capital.

52L plants planted ahead of G20 Summit, says Delhi Minister

Take steps to release Rs 10,000 crore relief of flood-hit farmers, says Sukhbir Badal

Take steps to release Rs 10,000 crore relief of flood-hit farmers, says Sukhbir Badal
The SAD President was talking with the media after visiting the residence of farmer Pritam Singh, who died during a police action at Mander Kalan village in Sangrur district, Badal demanded the Chief Minister and all police officials responsible for this act should be charged with murder.

Take steps to release Rs 10,000 crore relief of flood-hit farmers, says Sukhbir Badal

Rahul, Kharge in Mysuru to launch Gruha Lakshmi Scheme

Rahul, Kharge in Mysuru to launch Gruha Lakshmi Scheme
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge arrived in Mysuru city in Karnataka on Wednesday to attend the mega event to launch the ambitious Gruha Lakshmi Scheme in the state. Party General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, state Congress in-charge Randeep Surjewala also arrived with Rahul Gandhi and Kharge.  

Rahul, Kharge in Mysuru to launch Gruha Lakshmi Scheme

Reduction in cooking gas cylinder prices will provide convenience to all my sisters, says PM Modi

Reduction in cooking gas cylinder prices will provide convenience to all my sisters, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the reduction in prices of cooking gas cylinders by Rs 200 for all connection holders will give a lot of convenience to all "my sisters and family members on the occasion of Rakshabandhan." Modi said that he wishes that all his sisters remain happy and healthy, he wrote on X.

Reduction in cooking gas cylinder prices will provide convenience to all my sisters, says PM Modi

1984 anti-Sikh riots case: CBI files reply in Delhi court on Jagdish Tytler's plea seeking court records

1984 anti-Sikh riots case: CBI files reply in Delhi court on Jagdish Tytler's plea seeking court records
Tytler's counsel sought some time for advancing submissions stating that some time is required to go through the reply as well as the documents. Anand then adjourned the matter and put it up for arguments on the application for September 6.

1984 anti-Sikh riots case: CBI files reply in Delhi court on Jagdish Tytler's plea seeking court records