Nikhil Gupta, suspect in plot to murder Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, extradited to US

Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who is suspected by the US of involvement in an unsuccessful plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, has been extradited from the Czech Republic, media reports said on Sunday.

Gupta, aged 52, was apprehended in the Czech Republic last year following a request from the US government. He faces charges related to a conspiracy to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Gupta is scheduled to appear before a federal court in New York on Monday.

Currently, Gupta is held at the federal Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, where he is recorded as an inmate. His extradition was initially reported by The Washington Post


"Gupta, who had been detained in the Czech Republic, arrived in New York over the weekend, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive legal proceedings. Typically, extradited defendants must appear in court within a day of their arrival in the country," the daily said.

Federal prosecutors allege that Gupta hired a hitman to kill Pannun and paid USD 15,000 in advance. They allege that an unnamed Indian government official was involved in it.

India-US relations
Gupta's extradition occurs just before the scheduled visit of US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to New Delhi for the annual ICET dialogue. Sullivan is anticipated to discuss the issue with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval.

India has rejected any involvement in the case and has launched an investigation into the allegations.

Gupta, through his lawyer, has denied the accusations, claiming he has been "unfairly charged."

"Gupta's attorney, Rohini Musa, wrote in a petition to the Indian Supreme Court that her client is being unfairly prosecuted, saying there is "nothing on record to link the Petitioner to the massive alleged plot to assassinate the alleged victim," The Washington Post said.

"Musa complained that Gupta received adverse legal advice from a Czech government-appointed attorney "under the undue influence of ... U.S. Agencies" during the initial phase of his detention. She said India and the United States were "going back and forth to blame each other for their foreign policy," the daily reported.

With inputs from PTI