This is totally unfair… India’s befitting reply to US court’s summons in Khalistani terrorist Pannu’s case

New Delhi: A US court has summoned the Indian government on the claim of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. Pannu has accused of murder conspiracy in a civil case. The Indian Foreign Ministry has termed this summons as completely unfair. This summons has been issued by the US District Court in the Southern District of New York. It names the Government of India, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, former RAW chief Samant Goyal, RAW agent Vikram Yadav and Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta. The court has sought a reply from the Indian government in this regard within 21 days.

Foreign Secretary mentioned Pannu’s history

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that when the matter came to the notice of the government, action was taken. he/she said that a high-level committee is looking into the matter. Misri said that this is a completely unfair case. I want to draw your attention to the person who has filed this case. Everyone knows about Pannu’s background. he/she is associated with an illegal organization.

Pannu has dual US-Canada citizenship

Pannu is the head of a radical organisation called Sikhs for Justice. he/she has been giving inflammatory speeches and threats against Indian leaders and institutions. India declared him/her a terrorist in 2020. In November, British newspaper Financial Times reported that the US foiled a plot to kill Pannu. Pannu holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. Biden administration officials also later confirmed this.

What is the whole case related to Pannu

In the Pannu case, the Ministry of External Affairs had first reacted by saying that it was a matter of concern. The ministry had stressed that India had initiated a high-level investigation. The then Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said that in connection with the case filed against a person in a US court, in which he/she has been allegedly linked to an Indian official. This is a matter of concern. We have said that this is also contrary to government policy.

‘This will not affect India-US relations’

In May this year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said that India was investigating the matter. However, he/she had stressed that the matter would not affect India-US relations. Jaishankar had said in an interview to PTI that the United States brought some information to our attention in good faith because we also believe that some of it has an impact on our own system. he/she had said that we are investigating it. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has also said that this matter will not affect India-US relations.