The Czech Republic Police have released the first visuals of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of being involved in a murder-for-hire plot against Sikh extremist Gurpatwant Pannun on American soil, being extradited to the United States. Gupta, 52, was extradited from the Czech Republic on Friday, June 14, following his arrest in Prague a year ago.
In a video posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Czech Republic Police wrote, “The foreigner suspected in the United States of an assassination plot has been in the hands of the US judiciary since Friday.” The video showed Gupta, with his face blurred, being escorted onto a plane. Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blazek confirmed Gupta’s extradition, stating, “On the basis of my decision on (June 3), Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta, who is suspected of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire with intent to cause death, was extradited to the US on Friday (June 14) for criminal prosecution.”
Od pátku je cizinec podezřelý v USA ze spiknutí za účelem spáchání nájemné vraždy v rukou americké justice. Spolupráce policistů cizinecké policie, ředitelství pro mezinárodní policejní spolupráci a kolegů z USA umožnilo bezpečnou extradici z pražského letiště. #policiepp pic.twitter.com/492NKyltjd
— Policie ČR (@PolicieCZ) June 17, 2024
Nikhil Gupta was detained at Prague airport on June 30, 2023, under extradition orders issued by the US Justice Department. The US Justice Department alleges that Gupta targeted Pannun, “a vocal critic of the Indian government who leads a US-based organization advocating for the secession of Punjab.”
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has formed a “high-level” inquiry committee to investigate the case. The Czech Constitutional Court had cleared Gupta’s extradition in May.
Nikhil Gupta Pleads Not Guilty in US Court
On Monday, Gupta pleaded not guilty to the charges at a federal court in New York. He was arrested in the Czech Republic last year at the request of the US government on charges of being involved in a plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. Pannun holds dual American and Canadian citizenship.
Gupta’s attorney, Jeffrey Chabrowe, stated that his client was produced before a federal court in New York, where he pleaded not guilty. US federal prosecutors allege that Gupta was acting on the directions of an unnamed Indian government official. India has denied any involvement in the case.
Nikhil Gupta, accused by US prosecutors of plotting with an Indian government official to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US resident who advocated for a sovereign Sikh state in northern India, pleaded not guilty to murder-for-hire conspiracy charges https://t.co/Y5ryUYL9Nn pic.twitter.com/rv6fdsGvlp
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 18, 2024
“This is a complex matter for both our countries,” Chabrowe told news agency PTI. “It is extremely important that we refrain from rushing to conclusions so early in the process. Background and details will develop that may cast government allegations into an entirely new light. We will pursue his defense vigorously and ensure he receives full due process, regardless of outside pressures.”
Federal prosecutors claim that Gupta hired a hitman to kill Pannun and paid USD 15,000 in advance. Gupta, through his attorney, has denied the charges, stating that he has been “unfairly charged.”
In April 2024, The Washington Post reported that Vikram Yadav, a Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer, was the Indian official behind the plot. The report also claimed that then R&AW chief Samant Goel sanctioned the operation. However, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the report, calling it “unwarranted and unsubstantiated,” and denying any involvement of Indian agents in the plot to kill Pannun.
As the case unfolds, it highlights the complexities and international dimensions of such high-profile criminal allegations, with both nations closely monitoring the proceedings.
