Nikhil Gupta Extradited to US for Alleged Plot Against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
New Delhi [India], June 21: Indian national Nikhil Gupta was extradited to the United States on June 14 to face legal proceedings. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not received any request for consular access from him, according to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
Gupta is suspected by the US of involvement in an unsuccessful plot to kill pro-Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. During a weekly briefing, Jaiswal said, “We have not received any request for consular access from Nikhil Gupta. But his family has got in touch with us, and we are looking at the matter as to what can be done on their request.”
Gupta pleaded not guilty on Monday at a federal court in New York City. He arrived at the Manhattan Federal Courthouse and has pleaded not guilty. Gupta was extradited from the Czech Republic. His US-based lawyer, Jeffrey Chabrowe, mentioned that they would file a bail application later, meaning Gupta will remain detained for now. Chabrowe also highlighted that Gupta had not been provided with a vegetarian meal since arriving at a Brooklyn detention facility.
The next hearing is on June 28. US federal prosecutors accuse Gupta of plotting with an Indian government official to kill Pannun. The alleged assassination plot has put the India-US relationship under scrutiny. New Delhi has distanced itself from the plot, stating it is against Indian government policy and will investigate security concerns raised by Washington.
Separately, MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal addressed the death of two Indians serving in the Russian Army. He said, “We are engaged with the Russian authorities both here in New Delhi and in Moscow so that people who are serving in the Russian army can be released and repatriated to India. The number of people who have contacted us so far is between 20 to 25. Ten of them have been released. Two people have died recently, and we are in touch with the Russian Defence Ministry and the Foreign Ministry so that the mortal remains can be brought to India as soon as possible.”
