Pannun assassination plot: US State Dept serves civil lawsuit to India; Ajit Doval named

New Delhi: The US Department of State has issued summons to the Indian government through diplomatic channels in a civil suit filed by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, leader of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The summons were issued following directions from a US court.

According to a report published by Firstpost, the summons were served through the Indian Embassy in Washington. The report stated that Pannun’s lawsuit names National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Samant Goel among the defendants.

Pannun has reportedly sought damages over an alleged attempt to assassinate him. The SFJ leader has also accused Doval of conspiring with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to kill him.

India designated Pannun as a terrorist earlier

Earlier, New Delhi designated Pannun as a terrorist and declared SFJ an unlawful organisation. It may be noted that Pannun has been linked to the Khalistan movement.

Pannun, who is active in the United States and Canada, has been accused of involvement in acts of violence against Indian diplomats in Canada. He has also threatened attacks on Indian soil.

Notably, earlier this year, Indian national Nikhil Gupta (54) pleaded guilty in a US court in connection with an alleged failed conspiracy to assassinate Pannun, Reuters had reported. Gupta had earlier denied the charges when he appeared before a federal court in June 2024.

Nikhil Gupta arrested in 2023 in the Czech Republic

Gupta later pleaded guilty to murder for hire, conspiracy to commit murder for hire and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office.

He was arrested in June 2023 in the Czech Republic following allegations of his involvement in the assassination plot. He was subsequently extradited to the United States, where he remained in custody.