An Indian man accused of plotting to assassinate an American citizen in New York has been extradited to the US, sparking international intrigue and diplomatic tensions.
Nikhil Gupta, who was charged by the US government last year with attempting to hire a hitman to assassinate US-based Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, was arrested in the Czech Republic on Washington’s request and jailed in Prague.
After the Czech Constitutional Court rejected his petition against extradition, Gupta was transferred to the federal Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, where he is currently being held pending his appearance in a New York federal court on Monday. The charges against him carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
US prosecutors allege that Gupta paid $100,000 in cash to a hitman, who turned out to be an undercover federal agent, to carry out the assassination of Pannun. They also claim that Gupta was directed by an Indian government official, although no names have been disclosed.
The Indian government has denied any involvement in the murder plot, further complicating the already strained relations between India and the US. Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen and general counsel for Sikhs for Justice, an organization supporting the Khalistan movement, has been designated a terrorist by the Indian government, a claim he denies.
The case has also brought attention to the broader Khalistan movement, which advocates for an independent homeland for Sikhs in India. The movement has been a source of tension between India and countries like Canada, where Sikh separatist leaders have been targeted in violent incidents.
The White House has raised concerns about the alleged assassination plot with India at the highest levels, prompting Indian officials to distance themselves from the accusations and launch an investigation into Gupta’s actions.
Despite Gupta’s plea for intervention from India’s Supreme Court, the court has declined to get involved, leaving the government to handle the situation. As Gupta awaits his trial in the US, the case continues to highlight the complex political dynamics surrounding Sikh separatism and international relations.
