Washington: Nikhil Gupta, a 52-year-old Indian national, has been extradited from the Czech Republic to the United States on charges related to a murder-for-hire plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Khalistan terrorist. Gupta’s extradition marks a significant development in an international legal case that has garnered widespread attention.
Gupta was detained in the Czech Republic last year at the behest of the US government. He is accused of orchestrating a plot to assassinate Pannun, for which he allegedly paid a hitman $15,000 in advance. Federal prosecutors have implicated an unnamed Indian government official in the scheme, a claim that India vehemently denies and is currently investigating.
Upon his arrival in New York over the weekend, Gupta was lodged at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn. He is scheduled to appear before a federal court in New York on Monday. The Washington Post was the first to report on Gupta’s extradition, citing anonymous sources familiar with the legal proceedings.
The case has significant diplomatic implications, coinciding with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s upcoming visit to New Delhi for the annual ICET dialogue. It is anticipated that Sullivan will discuss the matter with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval.
Gupta, through his attorney Rohini Musa, has denied the allegations, asserting that he is being “unfairly charged.” Musa has filed a petition to the Indian Supreme Court, claiming there is no substantial evidence linking Gupta to the assassination plot. She also criticized the legal advice Gupta received from a Czech government-appointed attorney, alleging undue influence from US agencies during his detention.
India and the United States have both instituted investigations into the allegations, with both countries seeking to clarify their respective positions on the matter amidst the ongoing diplomatic discourse.
This case continues to evolve, drawing attention to the complexities of international law and the intricate web of diplomatic relations between India and the United States.
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