A case of double standards: American pot and the Indian kettle

Extrajudicial killings are reprehensible no matter if they are carried out by the Americans, the Russians, Israel or India and whether they are carried out domestically or overseas.

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Leaving that issue aside, it’s worth taking a closer look at recent allegations made by the US government on a so-called plan to assassinate noted Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The core allegation in the fairly lengthy indictment is that RAW officials were somehow involved in this entire project, including bankrolling it. According to US Federal Prosecutors, an Indian official referred to as ‘CC-1’ masterminded the plot to have Mr Pannun eliminated. Mr Pannun has been promoting acts of terrorism for quite a while, but he is, somewhat disingenuously, described as ‘an attorney and political activist who is a US citizen of Indian origin residing in New York city.’ 

A relevant para from the detailed indictment issued by the US Department of Justice reads as follows: ‘Beginning in or about early 2023, in a series of telephonic and electronic communications between CC-1 and Gupta over encrypted applications, CC-1 asked Gupta to arrange the murder of the Victim in exchange for CC-1’s assistance in securing the dismissal of a criminal case against Gupta in India. Gupta agreed to orchestrate the assassination. In addition to their electronic communications, Gupta also met CC-1 in person in New Delhi in furtherance of the plot.’ Following the indictment against Mr Gupta, a court process will now commence in the United States. As yet, it is far from clear that RAW officials were actually involved; the Indian government has promised to cooperate and has appointed a high level panel for this purpose.