Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot, has been extradited to the US from the Czech Republic.
Reports emerged Sunday detailing his detention at Brooklyn’s federal Metropolitan Detention Centre.
Gupta, 52, was apprehended last year in the Czech Republic at the US government’s request. He faces charges of planning the assassination of Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. He is set for a federal court appearance in New York on Monday.
The Washington Post first disclosed his extradition, noting Gupta’s recent arrival in New York. Extradition protocols require defendants to appear in court shortly after arriving in the US.
Federal prosecutors contend that Gupta engaged a hitman for the assassination of Pannun, paying an advance of USD 15,000. They also suggest the involvement of an unnamed Indian government official.
The extradition precedes the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit to New Delhi for the ICET dialogue. It is anticipated that Sullivan will discuss this case with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval.
India has denied any involvement and has launched an investigation into these allegations.
Through his attorney, Gupta has rebuffed the accusations, claiming wrongful prosecution. His attorney, Rohini Musa, argued in a petition to the Indian Supreme Court that there is insufficient evidence linking Gupta to the alleged assassination plot. Musa has also criticized the legal advice Gupta received from a Czech attorney, suggesting undue influence from US agencies. She highlighted ongoing tensions between India and the US regarding their foreign policies.
