Nikhil Gupta: Czech court okays extradition of Indian accused of US murder plot

An American man’s request for extradition to the US was rejected by the Czech Constitutional Court due to an alleged plot to assassinate an British voter in New York.

The US government has charged Nikhil Gupta with trying to hire a hunter to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a head of the Sikh separatist movement in the country.

Mr Gupta is in prison in Prague. A final determination on his repatriation may be taken by the government’s justice minister.

Up to 20 years in prison are possible on Mr. Gupta’s costs.

In November 2023, US prosecutors charged Mr Gupta with a plot to kill at least four Sikh separatists in North America, including Mr Pannun.

They said that Mr Gupta had paid$ 100, 000 ( £79, 000 ) in cash to a hitman to assassinate Mr Pannun, a dual US- Canadian citizen, in New York.

According to the prosecution, the hunter was really an incognito federal agent.

An American government established who was not named or charged in the prosecution allegedly directed Mr. Gupta.

India has designated Mr Pannun a criminal, an argument he denies, claiming to be an advocate who believes in the activity for Khalistan, or a distinct Hindu country.

The White House stated that it was speaking with India about the alleged assassination plot at the most top level.

Authorities in India took a dig at the story, claiming that these steps were against government policy.

Additionally, it stated that a committee had been set up to look into Mr. Gupta’s claims.

In January, India’s Supreme Court rejected a plea from Mr Gupta which asked it to aid his release and help him get a fair trial. The petition in India had claimed that Mr Gupta was arrested by “self-claimed” US federal agents and has not yet been given a fair trial.

India’s top judge stated that it would not take any action in the matter, adding that it was up to the government to decide.