Delhi court issues warrant against ex-RAW officer Yadav

Delhi court issues warrant against ex-RAW officer Yadav

On December 18, 2023, Delhi Police’s Special Cell arrested Yadav following an FIR lodged by a Rohini resident. The complaint accused him of extortion and kidnapping, further alleging his connections with notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, intensifying the case’s seriousness.

Delhi Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Ex-R\&AW Officer Vikash Yadav in Pannun Case

A Delhi courtroom, usually a place of quiet procedures and formal exchanges, witnessed a development that drew significant attention on Monday. The Patiala House Courts issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against former R\&AW officer Vikash Yadav, a man whose name has already been in the headlines after being mentioned by the United States in connection with an alleged assassination plot against Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

The warrant was issued by Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Partap Singh Laler, who noted Yadav’s consistent absence from court despite repeated calls. The provision deals with the procedure when a bond given to the court is forfeited, signaling how seriously the judiciary is treating Yadav’s failure to appear.

A Pattern of Absence

According to the order, Yadav had been absent since the morning of the hearing. This wasn’t his first missed appearance. Earlier, he had filed applications seeking exemption from physical presence, citing threats to his life. Those requests had been approved, showing the court’s willingness to accommodate his concerns. However, on Monday, no such fresh application was filed. The silence from Yadav’s side left the court with little option but to take sterner action.

His lawyer, R K Handoo, confirmed that a hearing did take place but expressed surprise when asked about the NBW. “Yes, there was a matter today, but I am not aware of any warrant,” Handoo said, offering a glimpse into the confusion that sometimes surrounds high-profile legal proceedings.

The Larger Context

The strike was against a notification by Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena, permitting police to present evidence virtually from their stations. Many lawyers saw this as a move that could compromise fairness in trials. Against this backdrop of protest and absence of many regular legal professionals, the court’s action against Yadav added yet another layer of tension to Delhi’s legal circles.

Yadav’s troubles are not limited to the Pannun plot. He is also facing charges of extortion and kidnapping. A Rohini resident had lodged a complaint accusing him of these serious crimes and linking him to notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, a name often associated with high-profile criminal cases across India.

The International Angle

What makes Yadav’s case extraordinary is its intersection with international allegations. In late 2023, U.S. authorities publicly named him as a conspirator in a foiled plan to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S.-based Khalistani separatist leader who has long been a thorn in India’s diplomatic relations with the West. While the Indian government officially distanced itself from the allegations, the naming of a former intelligence officer raised eyebrows globally and domestically.

Associate’s Plea for Compassion

In the same courtroom, another thread of this unfolding drama played out. Abdullah Khan, described as Yadav’s associate, moved an application for the extension of his passport release. Khan explained that his father had been diagnosed with blood cancer, and he needed to travel to Dubai, Singapore, and the UK to seek additional medical opinions. The court, showing compassion, accepted his plea and extended the release of his passport until the next hearing date of October 17.

This moment stood in sharp contrast to Yadav’s case. While the court showed empathy in Khan’s personal crisis, it demonstrated firmness in Yadav’s continued absence.

For many watching this case unfold, the developments are unsettling. On one hand, there is sympathy for Yadav’s claims of a life threat—after all, his name has been dragged into a global diplomatic storm. On the other, his alleged links to criminal networks and his absence from court create the impression of evasion rather than genuine fear.

Lawyers and legal observers whisper about how this case has become a microcosm of larger questions: How should the legal system treat individuals accused of grave crimes but claiming threats to their safety? How do courts balance national security concerns, international allegations, and individual rights?

What Lies Ahead

The road ahead looks challenging for Vikash Yadav. With a non-bailable warrant now issued, he is legally obligated to appear before the court, or else face arrest. The next date, October 17, looms large—not only for Yadav but also for Abdullah Khan and perhaps for the Indian judiciary, which is walking a tightrope between fairness, firmness, and public perception.

What is certain is that this case is no longer just about one man’s absence from a courtroom. It has become a story where personal survival, criminal allegations, and international politics are colliding—forcing India’s justice system to confront all three at once.