Panel advises action against ‘individual’ months after Pannun murder plot charge

A high-powered enquiry committee set by the Indian government to investigate information provided by the United States has recommended legal action against an individual.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said on Wednesday. The ministry said that the committee had been set up in November 2023 following information provided by the US regarding some organised criminal groups, terrorist organisations, drug peddlers, etc.

The ministry did not identify the nature or the details of the information provided by the US. However, the timeline mentioned in its statement suggests that it is to do with an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.

In November 2023, the US Department of Justice said it had unearthed a plot to assassinate Pannun that was allegedly orchestrated by a person in the employment of the Indian government. In later revelations, the person in question was identified as an agent of Indias external spy agency R&AW who allegedly attempted to hire a contract killer to murder Pannun.

In response to the US allegations, India said it had set up a high-powered enquiry committee to investigate the issue.

“The Enquiry Committee conducted investigations, and also pursued leads provided by the US side. It received full cooperation from US authorities and the two sides also exchanged visits. The Committee further examined a number of officials from different agencies and also scrutinised relevant documents in this connection,” the Home Ministry said in a statement.