US Court rules NSA Ajit Doval not served summons during visit, rejects Pannun’s claim

Court confirms summons delivery to Indian NSA was not legally completed

A US court has stated that National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval was not legally served with a summons during his visit to the United States on February 12-13, 2025. The statement came in response to claims by Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who alleged that the legal notice was delivered during Doval’s stay at the Blair House in Washington, D.C., where he was accompanying Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The judge from the Southern District of New York clarified that Pannun’s process servers did not meet the court’s requirements for service. The summons was not handed to hotel management, staff, or security personnel responsible for Doval’s protection, which invalidated the delivery process.

Details of the summons attempt

Pannun’s legal team had sent two process servers and one investigator to deliver the legal complaint connected to a civil lawsuit. The suit alleges a murder plot against Pannun, which US authorities claim involved Indian government agent Vikash Yadav. While India has recommended legal proceedings against Yadav, another Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, remains in US custody with his trial scheduled for November 3, 2025.

The first server, Ambiko Wallace, approached Blair House on February 12 at 7:22 PM but was denied access by Secret Service agents. The next day, a second server, Wayne Engram, made another attempt. Despite 15 years of experience, Engram was also refused by agents and warned of arrest if he left the documents on-site. Ultimately, he left the sealed envelope at a nearby Starbucks, 100 feet from the premises, and informed the agents. The court deemed this method insufficient.

India’s position and diplomatic sensitivities

India has maintained that Doval was never served with any legal document during his trip. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri previously described the claims as “unwarranted and unsubstantiated.” The latest court order supports this stance.

The lawsuit stems from allegations linked to an attempted plot to assassinate Pannun. The issue caused tensions between the US and India in 2023, following similar accusations by Canada involving the killing of Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has pledged to improve internal protocols for handling such matters and hopes that legal developments will not hinder bilateral relations.

Pannun, designated a terrorist by India in 2020, is a spokesperson for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organization that India has urged the US to ban.

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