In a major development, India has informed U.S. authorities that it has arrested the individual identified as “CC1” in a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment, which implicated the suspect in a high-profile assassination plot targeting an American citizen. The dramatic arrest comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, with U.S. officials expressing satisfaction at India’s actions.
According to the DOJ indictment, “CC1” was a former Indian government official accused of directing a failed assassination attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an American national and a designated terrorist in India. The plot, allegedly orchestrated in New York in June 2023, involved hiring an assassin, who later turned out to be an undercover U.S. law enforcement agent.
India has clarified that the suspect is no longer a government employee and is now facing local charges. An Indian inquiry committee, formed after the revelations, has been actively investigating “CC1” and his connections. The committee will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet U.S. officials and share insights into the ongoing investigation.
A U.S. official confirmed the arrest and welcomed India’s cooperation, stating, “We are encouraged by the steps India has taken. This reflects the seriousness with which both governments are addressing the allegations.” The official also highlighted the sustained engagement between Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and U.S. NSA Jake Sullivan.
Despite the tensions with Canada over similar allegations, the U.S. has emphasized that the two investigations are unrelated. “There is no trilateral conversation with Canada, India, and the U.S. The focus remains solely on this U.S. case,” the official said.
India’s inquiry committee is not only sharing its findings with the U.S. but also investigating other potential linkages involving “CC1.” The committee’s visit to Washington is aimed at gaining further insights into the American investigation and collaborating on next steps.
Meanwhile, the intermediary allegedly hired to carry out the assassination plot, Nikhil Gupta, was arrested in Prague last year and extradited to the U.S. His trial is expected to begin soon. As for “CC1,” the investigation into his role continues, with both U.S. and Indian authorities closely collaborating.
The arrest comes on the same day that India downgraded its diplomatic relations with Canada, recalling its high commissioner and expelling six Canadian diplomats. However, U.S. officials stressed that the timing of these events is coincidental and not related to the ongoing investigation into the U.S. assassination plot.
Unlike Canada’s public accusations against India regarding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the U.S. has chosen to handle the matter privately through diplomatic channels, further highlighting the differences in approach between the two nations.
As the investigation unfolds, the arrest of “CC1” marks a significant turning point in India’s efforts to address the allegations. With high-level engagement continuing between India and the U.S., both governments are committed to ensuring accountability and resolving the case through appropriate legal and diplomatic channels.
