NEW DELHI: Vikash Yadav, a former government employee now in the centre of a legal and diplomatic storm, is being made a "scapegoat" in international politics, said his lawyers, R K Handoo and Aditya Chaudhary.
Handoo denied allegations from the US Department of Justice that Yadav had allegedly conspired to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, emphasising that Yadav has never gone to the US. "Our client was not involved in any criminal activity. He has done nothing wrong. The accusations are baseless and part of a larger international conspiracy against India," said Handoo.
Claiming their client was innocent and was being framed, Handoo and Chaudhary said Yadav didn't even know Nikhil Gupta, his alleged co-conspirator. The US has alleged that Yadav (aka CC1) directed the assassination plot from India, providing sensitive information about Pannun to Gupta, who in turn shared it with a 'hitman' who was an undercover DEA informant. Gupta was extradited to the US from Czech Republic in June this year. He was dramatically arrested there last year at the request of the US govt.
Since last summer, Yadav's life has been turned upside down. The whole episode has taken a severe toll on his personal life.
After being dismissed from service, he was forced to vacate his government accommodation in a humiliating manner, Handoo revealed. "His reputation is in tatters, and he faces a constant threat to his life. The psychological pressure has been relentless. He was subjected to mental harassment in the custody of Delhi Police," Handoo told TOI.
As the case unfolds, tension between India and the US over the issue persists. The FBI has issued a federal arrest warrant for Yadav, and he remains 'at large'. As the world watches as this drama plays out, wondering what's truth and what's deception, one thing is certain - his life will never be the same.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.Raj Shekhar Jha is an assistant editor with The Times of India, D...
Read MoreRaj Shekhar Jha is an assistant editor with The Times of India, Delhi. He has been writing on internal security and crime for TOI since 2011.
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