The U.S. Department of Justice has filed charges against Vikash Yadav, an Indian government employee, for his alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire plot targeting a U.S. citizen in New York City. The indictment, unsealed in the Southern District of New York, accuses Yadav of orchestrating the plot from India with Nikhil Gupta, who was previously charged and extradited to the United States.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, "The Justice Department will be relentless in holding accountable any person — regardless of their position or proximity to power — who seeks to harm and silence American citizens." He added that last year's attempt by Yadav and Gupta to assassinate an American citizen was foiled.
FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the FBI's commitment to protecting constitutional rights: "The FBI will not tolerate acts of violence or other efforts to retaliate against those residing in the U.S. for exercising their constitutionally protected rights."
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen highlighted the increase in violent transnational repression targeting diaspora communities: "Today’s charges are a grave example of the increase in lethal plotting and other forms of violent transnational repression targeting diaspora communities in the United States."
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram praised her team's efforts: "DEA foiled this assassination attempt last year and has continued to trace this case back to an employee of the Indian government whom we charge was an orchestrator of this intricate murder-for-hire scheme."
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams announced further charges against Yadav: "Last year, this office charged Nikhil Gupta for conspiring to assassinate a U.S. citizen of Indian origin on U.S. soil," adding that Yadav directed Gupta from India.
According to court documents, Yadav recruited Gupta in May 2023 to organize the assassination of a vocal critic of the Indian government residing in New York City. The victim is associated with advocating for Punjab's secession from India.
Yadav allegedly used his position within India's Cabinet Secretariat, which includes its foreign intelligence service, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), to facilitate this plot. Communications between Yadav and Gupta revealed attempts to contract a hitman through what they believed was a criminal associate but turned out to be a DEA confidential source.
Charges against Yadav and Gupta include murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, they face significant prison sentences as determined by federal guidelines.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including DEA's New York Division and FBI's Counterintelligence Division with international cooperation from Czech authorities.
Prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Camille L. Fletcher, Ashley C. Nicolas, Alexander Li along with National Security Division attorneys Christopher Cook and A.J. Dixon.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.