US President-elect Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Jay Clayton, former chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as the new District Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Clayton will replace Damian Williams, who had prosecuted a high-profile case against Vikash Yadav, a former officer of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), involved in an alleged plot to hire a hitman to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Williams, as the Manhattan federal prosecutor, also charged Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta as a co-conspirator in the case. Gupta was extradited to the US from the Czech Republic in June, after his arrest. He denies any involvement in the plot. Yadav, described as a senior RAW officer, is reportedly in custody in India facing charges of kidnapping and extortion. He is also listed on the FBI's wanted list.
The case has drawn significant attention in India, where the government has denied any official connection to the alleged assassination plot. The accused, including Gupta and Yadav, are said to have attempted to hire an individual they believed to be a professional criminal—who was later revealed to be a government agent—to carry out the murder.
Clayton’s nomination is being closely watched, as his expertise in Wall Street and financial regulation could prove valuable for overseeing high-profile cases in the Southern District, which handles major investigations into financial fraud and market manipulation. Trump praised Clayton for his distinguished career in both business and public service, noting his significant contribution during his tenure at the SEC from 2017 to 2021.
