India’s RAW: Rogue Agents or Rogue Agency?

A murky episode involving a thwarted assassination attempt on a Sikh separatist leader in the United States has exposed a troubling fault line within India’s intelligence establishment. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani leader, became the target of a plot allegedly hatched by Indian operatives on American soil.

While Indian authorities have distanced themselves from the incident, claiming the involvement of “rogue operatives,” the episode raises serious questions about accountability and the potential for rogue elements within the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s premier intelligence agency.

The story unfolded when US prosecutors in November 2023 charged an Indian citizen, Nikhil Gupta, with plotting Pannun’s assassination at the behest of an Indian government official. This sent shockwaves through both nations, prompting India to launch an investigation. Their findings, recently submitted to the US, attribute the plot to “rogue operatives” not authorized by the Indian government. While at least one individual involved reportedly had prior links to India’s RAW, the Indian government maintains this doesn’t reflect official policy.

The US has expressed deep concern and urged India to hold those responsible accountable. This is a critical demand. The audacity of plotting an assassination on foreign soil is a brazen violation of international norms. Moreover, it casts a shadow on India’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.

The involvement of an individual previously associated with RAW adds another layer of complexity. While the Indian government attempts to distance itself entirely, questions linger about how such an individual could operate outside the bounds of authorized activity. Was this a case of a single bad actor, or is there a deeper issue of rogue elements within RAW itself?

A deeper look reveals a more troubling narrative – one that centers on the career of former chief of India’s RAW, Samant Goel.

Ensaaf’s dossier, released on 30^th October 2023, alleging that former Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Goel was responsible for enforced disappearances and killings of Sikhs in Punjab during the 1980s and 90s, has sparked outrage. The report raises serious questions about accountability and the links between power and intelligence agencies.

The key question: will Goel finally face consequences for the alleged atrocities committed under his watch?

The report details a dark period in Punjab’s history, in the 1980s and 1990s, where Goel is accused of overseeing a brutal campaign of disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Adding insult to injury, Goel was awarded a Police Medal of Gallantry in 1996, highlighting the lack of justice for the victims.

Moreover, the Indian government’s continued promotion of Goel, despite facing serious allegations of human rights abuses, raises serious concerns about accountability. This sends a worrying message that political considerations may outweigh the pursuit of justice.

Goel’s tenure extension in 2022, surpassing the prescribed two-year term, is indicative of the Modi government’s seemingly prioritized agenda to fortify the operational capabilities of intelligence. Goel, recognized for his expertise in Af-Pak affairs and unapologetically forthright as a Punjab cadre officer, collaborated closely with key figures such as Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Such collaboration raises compelling questions that reverberate: Why has Goel seemingly evaded accountability for the reported atrocities in Punjab? How does an individual accused of crimes against humanity ascend to the leadership of India’s intelligence agency? These inquiries collectively hint at the possibility that the actions of the Modi government might be propelled by transnational aspirations, an aspect that warrants deep concern.

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Furthermore, Goel’s upward trajectory within the Indian government, marked by accolades like the Police Medal for Meritorious Services in 2000 and his subsequent role in RAW, not only underscores an absence of accountability for human rights but also shines a spotlight on specific policy considerations and potential strategic designs—especially in the context of Khalistan and Af-Pak affairs.

The India government’s support, evident through a series of promotions and awards, foments a compelling argument that forces us to grapple with a pivotal question: Is accountability systematically subjugated to political considerations, particularly when it comes to Khalistan and Af-Pak geopolitics?

Fast forward, Goel’s trajectory takes a twist. Transitioning from the turbulent landscapes of Punjab, we witness him assuming a pivotal role at the helm of India’s RAW. Despite his retirement in June 2023, recent events, including the Sikh target killing in Canada and the thwarted assassination attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States, emerge as crucial chapters underlining the strategic framework crafted under Goel in RAW. Reports connecting these incidents to RAW open a Pandora’s box of inquiries. Has the long arm of RAW stretched beyond national borders, potentially seeking to stifle dissenting voices?

The Khalistan movement, originally a pursuit of self-determination, confronts severe infringements by Indian intelligence agencies, accused of suppressing its leaders – Notable instances include, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Avtar Singh Khanda, and Sukhdool Singh, among others. However, Sikhs are not the only ones suffering, numerous Kashmiri activists and Indian dissidents also find themselves targeted on a global scale. It is also interesting to note, that Goel, reportedly renowned for his operational expertise and a reported role in ceasefire talks with Pakistan amid Pulwama-Balakot incident, achieved significant success with the evacuation of the Indian mission from Kabul last August.

Furthermore, as highlighted by Praveen Swami in The Print India, Goel, a former IPS officer who served in Punjab and later headed RAW’s London in 2012, is believed to have overseen a significant expansion in the agency’s offensive operations against Pakistan and Khalistan. While unconfirmed, there’s speculation that one of these operations included the assassination attempt on Lashkar-e-Taiba’s chief, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, in 2021. Swami also notes the agency has found itself entangled in allegations related to the purported use of Pegasus surveillance software to target domestic dissidents. An additional source of international controversy stems from an alleged RAW attempt to kidnap fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi.

Critics argue that Goel’s tenure as chief has been marked by a close-knit circle of lieutenants, holding key positions throughout his entire term. This contrasts with RAW’s historical practices, where officers at overseas stations typically rotated every three years. Now, with Goel’s departure, RAW is transitioned to Sinha. Having commanded the RAW operations division for the past seven years under Goel, Sinha’s focus is on leveraging modern technology for intelligence gathering.

Particularly, Goel stands out as the first officer in recent decades to serve as RAW chief for four years the longest since 2000. Goel, recognized for his operational prowess with remarkable influence in Khalistani groups and a pivotal role in talks with Pakistan on ceasefire matters, achieved notable success with the evacuation of the Indian mission from Kabul last August.

Adding to the story, Ajit Doval, the current National Security Advisor in the Modi-led Indian Government, and Samant Kumar Goel share distinctive career trajectories. Doval, an ex-IPS officer of the Kerala cadre, took an unconventional path by directly joining the Intelligence Bureau (IB), bypassing the customary Superintendent of Police role. This deviation is noteworthy when considering Goel’s rise through the ranks. Both officers, known for their atypical paths, played key roles in India’s air attack on Balakot.

This pattern of appointments and career trajectories indeed raises questions about the Modi government’s strategic aspirations while suggesting a deliberate departure from conventional norms. It prompts us to ponder whether this reflects a calculated strategy by the Modi government to bring individuals with unconventional perspectives into pivotal positions, reshaping India’s national security and intelligence contours.

The international community, now confronted with the alleged involvement of India’s RAW transnationally, faces a moral dilemma. Besides, the Sikh community, both within India and abroad, demands answers and justice for the reported atrocities. Can the global stage become a platform for accountability, or will political considerations continue to shield those accused of heinous crimes?

As we traverse through this labyrinth of events, the crux of the matter lies in accountability!

The story is far from over, and the quest for justice continues, both in the haunted echoes of Punjab’s past and the unfolding chapters on the global stage.

SAT Editorial Desk

Your go-to editorial hub for policy perspectives and informed analysis on pressing regional and global issues.

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