District court in US summons Indian govt, NSA, former RAW chief over Pannun lawsuit

The US District Court for the Southern District of New York, just ahead of PM Narendra Modi's departure for the US, on Thursday issued summons to the Indian government in response to a civil lawsuit filed by Khalistani terrorist GS Pannun, who alleges an assassination plot against him.

India described the development as "unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations". The issue has the potential to cast a shadow over the visit.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri told the media, "These are completely unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations. Now that this particular case has been lodged, it doesn't change our views... I would only invite your attention to the person behind this particular case whose antecedents are well known".


The US District Court for Southern District of New York named the Government of India, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, former RAW chief Samant Goel, in the summons. Two persons, Nikhil Gupta and Vikram Yadav, who have been accused in connection with the assassination case, have also been served summons.