New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI): A Delhi court on Monday granted exemption to Vikash Yadav from appearing in person in a kidnapping and extortion case. Special Judge Sumit Dass allowed the exemption for the day based on an application filed by Yadav's lawyer, citing security concerns due to the public disclosure of his personal details.
The judge postponed the case to March 24 after the prosecution informed the court that the investigating officer was occupied with duties related to the Delhi Assembly elections. Yadav, who has also been accused in a case involving an alleged attempt to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States, has been directed to appear before the court on the next hearing date.
This is not the first time Yadav has been exempted from a personal appearance; a similar exemption was granted on November 16.
Yadav was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell in December 2023 following a complaint from a Delhi-based businessman, who accused him of extortion and kidnapping. A chargesheet was filed against him in March 2024, and he was granted bail the following month.
Reportedly a former RAW official, Yadav was named by U.S. authorities in connection with the failed assassination plot against Pannun. In his court application, he claimed that "false and frivolous allegations" had been made against him and that details about his residence, background, and photographs had been widely publicized, making him vulnerable to "serious threats" from hostile elements.
The application further argued that even appearing via video conferencing posed a significant risk, as his location could potentially be detected through electronic surveillance.
The case will now be heard on March 24.
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