Indian national Nikhil Gupta was extradited to the United States on June 14 to face legal proceedings. However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not received any request for consular access from Gupta. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed this during a weekly briefing on Friday.
Gupta was extradited from the Czech Republic to the United States due to his alleged involvement in a plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a pro-Khalistani activist designated as a terrorist by India. The US authorities suspect Gupta of being part of an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Pannun in the United States.
Despite the absence of a consular access request from Gupta, his family has reached out to the MEA. Jaiswal assured that the ministry is considering what actions can be taken in response to the family's request.
Gupta pleaded not guilty on Monday in a federal court in New York. He appeared at the Manhattan Federal Courthouse at 12:30 PM local time. During the hearing, his lawyer, Jeffrey Chabrowe, highlighted issues regarding Gupta’s detention conditions, specifically noting that Gupta had not been provided with a vegetarian meal since arriving at the Brooklyn detention facility.
Chabrowe also mentioned that they plan to file a bail application at a later date, meaning Gupta will remain in detention for now. The next hearing is scheduled for June 28.
US federal prosecutors have accused Gupta of conspiring with an Indian government official to assassinate Pannun. This revelation has put a spotlight on the India-US relationship, prompting New Delhi to distance itself from the alleged plot. The Indian government has stated that such actions are against its policy and has pledged to formally investigate the security concerns raised by Washington.
The US Justice Department claims that Gupta, aged 52, is associated with the Indian government and was involved in planning the assassination of Pannun in New York City. This accusation has intensified scrutiny and raised questions about international diplomatic relations.
In a separate matter, MEA spokesperson Jaiswal also addressed the deaths of two Indians serving in the Russian Army. He mentioned that the Indian government is actively engaged with Russian authorities in both New Delhi and Moscow to facilitate the release and repatriation of Indian nationals serving in the Russian military.
So far, between 20 to 25 people have contacted the MEA, with ten having been released. The ministry is working to ensure that the mortal remains of the two deceased individuals are brought back to India as soon as possible.
The situation involving Nikhil Gupta and the alleged assassination plot against Pannun continues to evolve, with significant implications for India’s diplomatic relations with both the United States and other international stakeholders. The Indian government remains committed to addressing these issues while ensuring the welfare and rights of its citizens abroad.
Follow us
