Gurpatwant Pannun, an activist for Khalistan and legal advisor to Sikhs for Justice has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in a federal court in the United States. The lawsuit claims compensation for an alleged assassination plot against Pannun in 2022, which he asserts was planned by officials on U.S. soil.

Pannun, who holds citizenship in Canada, was labelled a terrorist by the Indian government and narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in June 2023. Reports suggest that authorities intervened to prevent the plot from being carried out.

The lawsuit filed in New York's Southern District also names former RAW chief Samant Goel, senior officer Vikram Yadav and Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who is currently in custody in New York for allegedly orchestrating a murder-for-hire scheme. The complaint mentions that the identities of potential defendants remain undisclosed.

Gurpatwant Pannun
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Khalistan Advocacy at the Center of Gurpatwant Pannun Conflict with India

Pannuns legal battle, led by his attorney Matthew Borden from Braun Hagey Borden LLP aims to hold the Indian government accountable for its purported role in a conspiracy to assassinate him. The lawsuit accuses Yadav of recruiting Gupta's assistance in planning the assassination with the endorsement of Goel and NSA Doval. It also claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of the plot although he is not named in the lawsuit due to diplomatic immunity.

Nikhil Gupta allegedly attempted to hire hitmen for the assassination but the would-be attackers turned out to be undercover U.S. agents, preventing the scheme. Pannun is now seeking damages, for the physical harm he narrowly avoided and the emotional turmoil he continues to experience as he asserts that his life remains at risk.

The lawsuit further asserts that the Indian government through R&AW has been involved in more than 20 recent international assassinations. Pannun has emphasized that he is being targeted for his advocacy, for Khalistan and for organizing an unofficial referendum supporting the Khalistan movement.

According, to Pannun's legal team pursuing legal action in cases is a task. As a result, the lawsuit focuses on seeking compensation under U.S. tort law. Borden noted that the compensation being sought is intended to cover the extensive security measures Pannun has had to put in place for his safety. The exact amount of damages will be determined, during the trial process.

In response to the accusations, the Indian government established a committee to investigate the allegations. This action escalates the current tensions surrounding Pannun's pro-Khalistan activities, which have long been a source of conflict between him and Indian authorities.

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