Pannun’s civil lawsuit: U.S. State department formally serves notice on India
The State Department said it was legally obliged to do so and is not taking a position on the case
The U.S. State Department has formally served notice on the Government of India regarding Gurpatwant Pannun's civil lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that Pannun was targeted in an assassination plot. The State Department delivered the notice to India's Embassy in Washington via diplomatic note on October 9, 2026. The note, dated September 30, 2026, was signed by John Ballard, Managing Director of the Directorate of Overseas Citizens Services, Washington.
The State Department's diplomatic note certifies it as a true copy of the United States Department of State document signed on the same date. Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta, who pleaded guilty to murder, conspiracy, and money laundering charges in a New York court, is accused of hiring a hitman to assassinate Pannun for $100,000. The hitman, Vikash Yadav, worked with an Indian government employee believed to be associated with India's external intelligence agency.
Gupta was arrested in Delhi in December 2023 and has been on bail since April 2024. The U.S. State Department is legally obligated to serve the notice but is not taking a position on the case.
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