Vikas Yadav: From RAW Agent to FBI's Most Wanted
On October 18, 2024, a photograph made headlines and sparked widespread discussion. The man in the picture is Vikas Yadav, a resident of Haryana and a former agent of India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) has added him to their "Most Wanted" list, with the caption "Wanted by the FBI" prominently displayed above his image. The FBI has designated him as "CC-1," and his name has also been linked to notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
Who is Vikas Yadav?
Vikas Yadav hails from Pranpura village in Haryana. He once worked for RAW, but he no longer has any association with the Indian government. This has been confirmed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which stated that Vikas no longer works for the government. However, the FBI claims that Vikas is still connected to the Indian government and was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate pro-Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu.
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| FBI issued poster for Vikash Yadav. |
Vikas Yadav’s Arrest and the Delhi Case
In December 2023, Vikas Yadav was arrested by Delhi Police on charges of attempted murder and kidnapping, according to media reports. The case was based on a complaint filed by a businessman from Rohini, who alleged that Vikas Yadav had kidnapped him, taken him to a flat in Delhi's Defence Colony, assaulted him, and robbed him of his gold chain, ring, and cash. The businessman also claimed that Vikas threatened him, saying that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi had ordered his killing.
The businessman first met Vikas Yadav in November 2023, when a mediator introduced Vikas as a senior government official who could help expand his business. They became friends quickly, but Vikas never shared personal details. On December 11, 2023, Vikas called the businessman to meet him on Lodhi Road. From there, the businessman was allegedly taken to the Defence Colony flat, assaulted, and robbed.
Vikas Yadav was arrested on December 18, 2023, in connection with this case. He was granted interim bail in March 2024, and regular bail in April. During his arrest, Vikas spent time in Tihar Jail. While the businessman accused Vikas of being connected to Lawrence Bishnoi, no solid confirmation of their link has been made thus far.
FBI’s Allegations and an International Conspiracy
On October 18, 2024, the FBI released an investigative report alleging that Vikas Yadav masterminded a conspiracy to assassinate pro-Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. The report states that in 2023, an Indian national named Nikhil Gupta hired an American to kill Pannu. Unbeknownst to Nikhil, the American he hired was actually an undercover FBI agent. According to the FBI, Vikas Yadav was the mastermind behind the entire plot, directing the assassination plan.
The Indian government had already clarified before the FBI report that Vikas Yadav no longer had any connection with them. Despite the FBI’s claims, the Ministry of External Affairs in India refuted any governmental involvement with Vikas.
The Lawrence Bishnoi Connection
Vikas Yadav’s name has also been linked to Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious criminal and gangster. The businessman alleged that Vikas told him during the kidnapping that Bishnoi had ordered his assassination. However, no concrete evidence has surfaced to validate these claims, and the connection between Vikas and Bishnoi remains unclear.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, whose assassination plot Vikas Yadav is accused of orchestrating, holds dual citizenship in Canada and the U.S. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also been vocal about the issue, particularly regarding the killing of another pro-Khalistan leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau has accused India of being involved in these killings, although he has not provided any concrete evidence to support his claims.
FBI’s Manhunt and Future Developments
The FBI is actively searching for Vikas Yadav. In 2023, they arrested Nikhil Gupta in the Czech Republic at the request of the U.S. Nikhil is currently in an American jail, but now the FBI is focusing on capturing Vikas, whom they believe masterminded the plot to assassinate Pannu.
The story of Vikas Yadav, from being a former RAW agent to becoming one of the FBI’s Most Wanted, is a complex and serious tale. While the FBI has accused him of being involved in an international assassination conspiracy, the Indian government has distanced itself from him. Investigations are still ongoing, and it remains to be seen when Vikas Yadav will be apprehended and what legal action will follow in this high-profile case.
Published - October 19, 2024 08:36 pm IST