'Forced to eat beef...': Nikhil Gupta, arrested in plot to kill Pannun, moves SC against detention in Czech Republic

The Supreme Court has directed the family of Nikhil Gupta, the Indian national accused of plotting to assassinate Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, to approach the court in the Czech Republic, where Gupta is currently detained. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S.V.N. Bhatti considered a writ petition filed by a family member, which sought urgent intervention from the Supreme Court against Gupta’s "illegal arrest and ongoing extradition proceedings".

The bench stated that the matter is "extremely sensitive" and advised the petitioner to first approach the court in the Czech Republic.
"You have to go before the court, which is outside India. Go over there. We are not going to have an adjudication over here. The person detained has not given the affidavit. If there is a violation of any law, etc., you have to go to court over there," Justice Khanna said.


According to the indictment brought in the US District Court, Gupta is accused of planning and directing a plot from India to kill Sikh separatist leader Pannun, who is a dual citizen of the US and Canada.

The petition filed before the Supreme Court claimed that the influence of the US on the Czech authorities raises concerns about Gupta's safety in Czech prison. The plea highlighted procedural failures in the extradition proceedings initiated in Prague, including the absence of an arrest warrant, lack of fair representation, and denial of basic rights.

The plea further alleged that Gupta, who was detained at Prague Airport on June 30, was subjected to forced consumption of beef and pork during his detention in Czech custody. It also claimed that he was denied consular access, the right to contact his family in India, and the freedom to seek legal representation.

The petitioner requested the appointment of legal counsel in both the Czech Republic and the US, citing the language barrier and the lack of adequate representation during the extradition trial in Prague.

The plea stated that Gupta, 52, was on a business exploration trip to the Czech Republic when he was illegally detained at Prague airport and kept in solitary confinement for about 100 days.

The Supreme Court will hear the plea on January 4 next year. (With ANI inputs)