Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a leading Sikh separatist and attorney for the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice, has launched a lawsuit against the Indian government, accusing its officials of orchestrating a failed assassination attempt on U.S. soil. Pannun, who is vocal about the Khalistan referendum, which calls for the independence of Punjab from India, has stated that the assassination plot was part of a broader strategy by India to silence Sikh activists internationally.

According to the legal filing, Indian officials, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Samant Goel, are directly implicated in the conspiracy. Pannun claims that Nikhil Gupta, an Indian businessman, and RAW operative Vikram Yadav were hired to carry out the assassination, which was ultimately foiled when undercover U.S. agents posing as hitmen revealed the plot.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions, particularly following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh leader assassinated in Canada in 2023. The killing has heightened concerns over India’s alleged transnational repression tactics, with Pannun’s case citing similar motives behind his targeted assassination. Pannun’s legal team stated that the attempt to eliminate him was linked to his leadership in promoting the Khalistan referendum, an international effort advocating for the separation of Punjab from India.

Indian intelligence and the alleged plot

Pannun has accused the Indian government of utilising its foreign intelligence network, particularly through RAW, to silence dissidents abroad. His lawyers argue that India’s attempt to use a hitman to eliminate Pannun represents a pattern of harassment and intimidation that extends beyond India’s borders. They emphasised that the Indian government has consistently targeted Sikh activists, both through its legal framework, such as the misuse of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), and by coercing foreign governments to issue Red Notices against individuals like Pannun.

The lawsuit details how Nikhil Gupta, who was arrested in the Czech Republic and later extradited to the U.S., is believed to have been instrumental in arranging the assassination. Gupta is accused of acting on behalf of Indian officials who sought to silence Pannun’s Khalistan campaign, which has gained international traction despite Indian opposition.

Broader implications for India-U.S. relations

This lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for India’s relationship with the U.S., especially as both countries have been collaborating more closely on various geopolitical fronts. While the Ministry of External Affairs in India has expressed concern over these allegations, they have denied any direct involvement in the assassination attempts. U.S. authorities, however, are continuing to investigate the broader implications of India’s actions.

As the legal battle progresses, it shines a light on India’s alleged suppression of Sikh activists, particularly those advocating for Khalistan, outside its borders. Pannun remains determined to hold Indian officials accountable, and his lawsuit suggests that the case could widen to include other Indian officials if further evidence emerges. Although Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not been named in the lawsuit due to diplomatic immunity, Pannun’s legal team suggested that this may change depending on how the case evolves.

Expert opinion: India’s strategy and transnational repression

Experts in international law suggest that this case is not an isolated incident but rather indicative of India’s increasing use of transnational repression to silence political dissidents. Some have argued that India’s reliance on intelligence networks, as seen in the allegations against RAW, reflects a deeper strategy of curbing Sikh separatist movements abroad. The use of assassination plots to silence figures like Pannun may signal India’s frustration with the growing support for Khalistan among diaspora communities in the West.

Analysts warn that while India’s actions might strengthen its stance against the Khalistan movement, they risk significant diplomatic fallout. If proven, these allegations could create tensions between India and countries like the U.S. and Canada, where significant Sikh populations exist. These countries may view India’s actions as a violation of sovereignty and an attempt to bypass international legal norms.

The assassination plot against Pannun, coupled with the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, raises questions about how far India is willing to go in its efforts to stifle dissent against the state. Pannun’s lawsuit could set a precedent for future legal action against state-sponsored transnational repression, particularly as global attention increases on the methods countries use to silence political opponents abroad.

  Ajit Doval, assassination plot, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Indian Government, Khalistan Referendum, New York District Court, Nikhil Gupta, Research and Analysis Wing, Samant Goel, Sikhs For Justice