Indian national Nikhil Gupta, accused in the plot to murder Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has been extradited to the United States from the Czech Republic.
Gupta, who is allegedly involved in a conspiracy to kill Pannun, a US citizen, was arrested in the Czech Republic last year and has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons website confirmed Gupta's detention, and a source familiar with the matter independently corroborated his extradition. Gupta, 52, is expected to appear before a federal court in New York soon.
Last month, a Czech court rejected Gupta's petition to avoid extradition, clearing the way for the Czech justice minister to approve his transfer to the US.
Gupta was initially arrested on June 30 last year, based on allegations that he was involved in hiring a hitman to kill Pannun, purportedly under the direction of an Indian government official.
The extradition occurs just ahead of US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan's visit to New Delhi for the annual iCET dialogue, where the matter is expected to be discussed with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval. The timing of Gupta's extradition adds a layer of diplomatic sensitivity to Sullivan's visit.
India has firmly denied any involvement in the plot to murder Pannun and has established a probe committee to investigate the allegations made by the US. The Indian government insists that it had no role in the conspiracy and is committed to uncovering the truth through its investigation.
Gupta has also denied the charges through his attorney, claiming that he has been unfairly accused. His legal defence is expected to be a significant aspect of the upcoming court proceedings in New York.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who holds dual citizenship in the US and Canada, is a wanted figure in India on terror charges. He has been designated a terrorist by the Indian Union Home Ministry under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, a stringent anti-terror law. Pannun is a prominent figure in the Khalistani separatist movement, which seeks to create an independent state for Sikhs in the Punjab region of India.
The extradition of Nikhil Gupta highlights the complex international legal and diplomatic challenges involved in addressing allegations of terrorism and cross-border conspiracies.
The case also underscores the ongoing tensions between India and proponents of the Khalistani movement, which has significant implications for regional security and international relations.
As the legal proceedings against Gupta unfold in the United States, they will be closely watched by both Indian and international observers, given the high-profile nature of the case and its potential impact on US-India relations.
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