Non-bailable warrant issued against former R&AW officer, named by US in Pannun case

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A Delhi court has issued a non-bailable warrant for Vikash Yadav, the ex-R&AW officer who was named by the US as a conspirator in an alleged plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, and issued a notice to his surety. The court said Yadav had failed to appear before it in a case of alleged kidnapping and extortion despite repeated calls.

In an order issued Monday, Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Partap Singh Laler of Patiala House Courts said Yadav was absent since morning. “Issue NBWs against accused Vikas Yadav and notice to his surety under Section 491 Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (the procedure when bond has been forfeited) for October 17,” he said.

Sources said a family member of Yadav was the surety in this case.

Incidentally, Monday marked Day Three of the strike called by the Coordination Committee of All District Court Bar Associations in Delhi to oppose a notification issued by L-G V K Saxena, allowing police to virtually present evidence in courts from stations.

Yadav was arrested on December 18, 2023, by the Delhi Police Special Cell after an FIR was filed against him on a complaint from a Rohini resident, accusing him of extortion and kidnapping, and linking him to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

The arrest came three weeks after Yadav’s name was listed in the Pannun case by US authorities. Yadav and an alleged associate were later let out on bail in the Rohini case even as a chargesheet was filed by the police.

Yadav had, meanwhile, moved applications before the Delhi court seeking exemption from appearance citing a “threat to his life”, which were approved. But he did not move a fresh application on Monday, prompting the court to take action. When contacted, Yadav’s advocate R K Handoo confirmed there was a hearing but said he was not aware of the NBW.

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On August 11, The Indian Express had reported Yadav was also being linked by investigators to an alleged member of the Mahadev Online Book betting racket in Dubai.

Meanwhile, Yadav’s alleged associate Abdullah Khan moved an application before the court for extending the release of his passport, claiming his father was diagnosed with blood cancer for which he has to visit Dubai, Singapore and the UK for additional medical opinion. “In view of submissions made, extension of release of passport is allowed till next date of hearing on October 17,” the court said.

Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More

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