Gurpatwant Pannun Murder Plot: Nikhil Gupta enters not guilty plea in murder-for-hire case

Indian national Nikhil Gupta, accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot against a Sikh extremist on American soil, pleaded not guilty as he was arraigned in federal court in Manhattan. Gupta was extradited to the US from the Czech Republic on June 14, which court records show as the day of his arrest in the US.

He made his first appearance in Manhattan federal court before Magistrate Judge James Cott on Monday afternoon for his arraignment and pleaded not guilty. Gupta's attorney Jeffrey Chabrowe entered the "not guilty" plea on his behalf. Gupta is being held in a Brooklyn detention facility.

Gupta is charged with murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each charge.


Upcoming Court Hearing
The next court hearing in the case is on June 28. Court records show that a status conference has been set for June 28 before Judge Victor Marrero.

US Government's Response

US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that Gupta's "extradition makes clear that the Justice Department will not tolerate attempts to silence or harm American citizens". Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco termed the extradition a "vital step toward justice, and I am grateful to our Czech partners for their assistance in this matter". US Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York said the extradition "makes clear our unwavering resolve to investigate, thwart, and prosecute those who seek to harm and silence US citizens here and elsewhere".

Background and Allegations
Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic last year at the request of the US government on charges of being involved in a plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. Pannun holds dual American and Canadian citizenship.

Denial of Involvement and Investigation

India has denied its involvement in the case and has instituted a high-level investigation into the allegations. Gupta's attorney Jeffrey Chabrowe told PTI, "It is extremely important that we refrain from rushing to conclusions so early in the process. Background and details will develop that may cast government allegations into an entirely new light," he said. "We will pursue his defence vigorously and ensure he receives full due process, regardless of outside pressures," he added.

Allegations Against Indian Official

Federal prosecutors allege that Gupta had been working according to the directions of an unnamed Indian government official. The Washington Post reported in April that Vikram Yadav, a Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer, was the Indian official behind the plot. The paper also said the then R&AW chief Samant Goel sanctioned the operation. India's Ministry of External Affairs, however, dismissed the report, saying it makes "unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations" to claim that Indian agents were involved in the plot to kill Pannun.

Czech Police Video Shows Extradition of Nikhil Gupta to US

The Czech Republic Police released footage showing the extradition of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of involvement in a foiled attempt to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Pannun, to the United States.


Gupta, suspected in the US of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, was extradited from Prague airport with the cooperation of foreign police officers, the Directorate for International Police Cooperation, and colleagues from the USA.

Gupta was arrested by Czech authorities after traveling from India to Prague last year. Czech justice minister Pavel Blazek decided to extradite Gupta on June 3, based on suspicions of "conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire with intent to cause death."

(With inputs from Agencies)