Nikhil Gupta, the Indian national accused of involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has taken his case to the Supreme Court, as reported recently. The family of Gupta has filed a habeas corpus petition, urging the Indian government's intervention to secure his release from custody in the Czech Republic, according to Live Law.
Last month, US federal prosecutors charged Nikhil Gupta with conspiring to kill Pannun, an American and Canadian citizen known for his Sikh extremist views. The Department of Justice claimed that Gupta, along with an unnamed Indian official, orchestrated the plot and even hired someone in the US to carry out the assassination.
The Czech Ministry of Justice confirmed Gupta's arrest and provisional custody, disclosing that the action was taken at the request of the United States. Vladimir Repka, a spokesperson for the ministry, mentioned that the US submitted an extradition request, citing charges that include conspiracy to commit murder for hire, according to US authorities.
India Today reported that the Ministry of Justice in the Czech Republic has officially acknowledged the arrest and custody of Nikhil Gupta, indicating a significant development in the case. The US government's direct involvement in the matter has raised concerns in India, prompting the Indian government to describe it as a "matter of concern."
In response to the allegations, India has initiated an inquiry panel to investigate the links between the accused Indian official and Nikhil Gupta. The US Principal Deputy NSA, Jonathan Finer, conveyed the importance of accountability during his recent visit to India. The White House issued a statement acknowledging India's establishment of a committee to probe the "lethal plotting" and emphasized the need to hold those responsible accountable.
The specific Indian officials with whom Finer discussed the issue were not mentioned in the official readout. The situation continues to unfold as the legal proceedings progress, shedding light on the complex international dimensions of the case.
Comments
Post a Comment