Indian suspect in plot to kill Sikh separatist extradited to US By Reuters
By Kanishka Singh and Sarah N. Lynch
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – An Indian man suspected by the U.S. of involvement in a failed assassination attempt that divided Sikhs on American soil has been extradited to the United States from the Czech Republic, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website and a source familiar with the matter. about the issue.
Nikhil Gupta is accused by American prosecutors of conspiring with an Indian government official to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an American citizen who represented an independent Sikh state in northern India.
Gupta traveled to Prague from India last June and was arrested by Czech authorities. Last month, a Czech court rejected his request to avoid extradition to the US, clearing the way for the Czech justice minister to extradite him.
A search of inmates by name on the Bureau of Prisons website revealed on Sunday that Gupta, 52, is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, a state-run facility. A source familiar with the matter, who did not want to be identified, separately confirmed Gupta’s release and his arrest in Brooklyn.
A spokesman for the US Department of Justice declined to comment. The Gupta’s US-based lawyer, attorney Jeffrey Chabrowe, had no comment. There was also no immediate comment from Czech authorities.
The discovery of a plot to kill Sikh separatists in the US and Canada has tested relations with India, which the West sees as a counter to China’s growing global influence. The Indian government denies involvement in these plots.
Canada said in September that its intelligence agencies were following up on allegations linking the Indian government to the June 2023 killing of renegade Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
In November, U.S. authorities said an Indian government official led a plot to assassinate Pannun, a U.S.-Canadian citizen. Gupta is accused of being involved in the conspiracy.
Pannun told Reuters on Sunday that while extradition is a welcome step, “Nikhil Gupta is a foot soldier.” He pointed out that those who hired the Guptas are senior members of the Indian government following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s order.
The Indian government has distanced itself from the plot against Pannun, saying it is against government policy. It said it would formally investigate the security concerns raised by Washington.
New Delhi has long complained about separatist Sikh groups outside India, viewing them as security threats. The groups keep alive the Khalistan movement, or the demand for an independent Sikh state to be carved out of India.
Last month, Washington said it was so far satisfied with India’s steps to ensure accountability for the suspected programs, but added that more steps needed to be taken.
