India slams US court summons in Khalistani terrorist case as ‘completely unwarranted’

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs has called a US court’s summons to the Indian government in connection with Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s civil suit “compleyely unwarranted.” During a news briefing this afternoon, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was questioned about the summons issued by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The summons names the Government of India, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, former R&AW chief Samant Goel, R&AW agent Vikram Yadav and Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta, demanding a response within 21 days regarding allegations of a plot to assassinate Pannun.

“We took immediate action when these issues were initially raised, and a high-level committee is currently addressing the matter,” said the Foreign Secretary. He described the case as “completely unwarranted.” Misri further pointed out, “I urge you to consider the individual who filed this,” referring to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, noting that his “antecedents are well-known” and that he is associated with an unlawful organisation.

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Pannun’s radical history

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the radical group Sikhs for Justice, is notorious for making incendiary speeches and issuing threats against Indian leaders and institutions. New Delhi officially declared him a terrorist in 2020. In November, the UK-based Financial Times reported that US authorities had foiled an assassination plot targeting Pannun, who holds dual citizenship in the US and Canada. This was later confirmed by officials from the Biden administration.

India probes allegations

In its initial response, the Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over the issue, saying that India has initiated a high-level investigation into the matter.

“As regards the case against an individual that has been filed in a US court, allegedly linking him to an Indian official, this is a matter of concern. We have said that this is also contrary to government policy,” then MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.