US State Department serves summons to Government of India in civil lawsuit by Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Pannun

The US State Department served India with summonses in a civil lawsuit filed by Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, while saying it was legally required to do so and took no position on the case. The suit concerns an alleged failed assassination plot investigated by US authorities.

The US State Department on Monday served summonses to the Government of India through diplomatic channels in a civil lawsuit filed by Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The State Department also clarified that it was legally obliged to do so and is not taking a position on the case.

Earlier, A court in New York allowed Pannun, who has been declared a terrorist in India, to serve his civil lawsuit on National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Samant Goel through courts in Delhi.

Murder for hire probe in US

The civil lawsuit is linked to the murder for hire investigation in the US by the Department of Justice, in which an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, was arrested in the Czech Republic in 2023

According to the DoJ, in February 2026, Gupta pleaded guilty in a Manhattan federal court to charges of murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a failed assassination plot targeting a US citizen and Sikh activist on American soil.

Gupta, an alleged drug smuggler, was recruited in May 2023 by Vikash Yadav, an officer with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), to carry out the murder.

Gupta faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 40 years in prison.

Pannun claims new credible threat to life

In August, Pannun, the general counsel for Sikhs For Justice, which is banned in India as an unlawful association, claimed that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had warned him that he faces a new credible threat to his life.

Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen said he was warned by FBI agents who visited him August 12 that he should not travel until the threat is resolved, and, if he does, the agency should be notified in advance of his plans.

He said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police warned him by telephone on Tuesday, though neither law enforcement agency gave any details about the plot that was uncovered. Messages seeking comment from both law enforcement agencies were not immediately returned.

Pannun said he was warned according to the terms of a “Duty to Warn” law in the United States that obligates U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies to notify individuals when they discover credible and specific threats of murder, severe bodily harm, or kidnapping.

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Bobins loves telling the human side of all stories, from the intersection of geopolitics, international relations, and conflicts around the world. In his nearly one-and-a-half-decade career as a journalist, Bobins has covered South Asia, the Middle East, and North America, from elections to mass protests and conflicts. <br> Bobins has also done extensive reporting on environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability, focusing on solutions and people working to make the planet a better place to live. <br> In 2018, Bobins was awarded by Times Internet for the impact of his story on Delhi tree cuttings. Bobins also loves telling the stories of Indian startups and the journey of their founders. <br> Total Years of Experience: 14 <br> Years of experience at LM: Bobins has been a part of Live Mint since February 2026 <br> Interests: When he is not tracking conflicts, Bobins loves to cook, travel across India, click photos, and watch documentaries on history. Past Experience: Before joining Live Mint, Bobins worked with The Indian Express, where he led the Global Breaking News coverage, Indiatimes, where he led the news team, covering everything trending, ANI, where the focus of his coverage was South Asia, and NBS News. <br> Current Role: Bobins is currently working as an Assistant Editor at Live Mint.