Delhi Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Ex-R&AW Officer Vikash Yadav;

A Delhi court has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Vikash Yadav, a former officer of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), after he failed to appear in court for a case related to alleged kidnapping and extortion. Yadav, who was recently named by US authorities in a suspected plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has been missing court hearings despite multiple summons. On Monday, Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Partap Singh Laler of the Patiala House Courts noted Yadav’s absence throughout the day and ordered an NBW to be issued. The judge also issued a notice to Yadav’s surety—a family member who had guaranteed his court presence—under Section 491 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, which deals with forfeiture of bonds. The next hearing is scheduled for October 17. The court action came on the third day of a strike by the Coordination Committee of All District Court Bar Associations in Delhi, who are protesting against a recent notification by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena. The notification allows police to submit evidence virtually from police stations. Yadav was arrested on December 18, 2023, by the Delhi Police Special Cell following an FIR filed by a resident of Rohini. The complaint accused Yadav of extortion and kidnapping and alleged links with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. His arrest came just three weeks after the US government named him in the Pannun case. Though Yadav was granted bail along with a co-accused, he later filed for exemption from personal court appearances, citing threats to his life. The court had accepted these earlier requests, but on Monday, he failed to file a fresh exemption plea, prompting the judge to take a sterner approach. When contacted, Yadav’s lawyer R.K. Handoo confirmed there was a court hearing but said he was unaware of the warrant being issued. Adding to the complexity of the case, investigators are reportedly exploring a possible link between Yadav and a suspect connected to the Mahadev Online Book betting racket, which operates out of Dubai. This connection was first reported by The Indian Express on August 11. Meanwhile, Yadav’s alleged associate, Abdullah Khan, submitted an application requesting an extension for the temporary release of his passport. He cited the need to travel to Dubai, Singapore, and the UK for his father’s treatment, who has been diagnosed with blood cancer. The court granted the extension until the next hearing on October 17.

NEWS