Indian national Nikhil Gupta, allegedly hired to kill Khalistani separatist Pannun pleads not guilty in US court

An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta accused of being involved in a murder-for-hire plot against Sikh extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil has pleaded not guilty in a federal court in New York.

Gupta, who was accused by the US authorities of collaborating with an Indian government official to kill Pannun, was extradited from the Czech Republic to the United States on June 17.

He has been detained without bail until his next court appearance on June 28. Describing his case as 'complex', his lawyer, Jeffrey Chabrowe, said he would pursue a vigorous defense.

"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," Chabrowe was quoted as saying.

"We will pursue his defense vigorously and ensure he receives full due process, regardless of outside pressures,” he added.

The Czech Republic Police on June 17 released the first visuals of Nikhil Gupta on social media platform X (formally Twitter), saying, “The foreigner suspected in the United States of an assassination plot has been in the hands of the US judiciary since Friday.”

It added that Nikhil Gupta was “safely extradited from a Prague airport”, posting video images of the Indian national (with his face blurred) being escorted onto a plane.

Earlier, Czech justice minister Pavel Blazek confirmed that Nikhil Gupta has been extradited to the US.

"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," Pavel Blazek said in a post on X.

Gupta was arrested at the Prague airport on June 30, 2023, under extradition orders issued by the US Justice Department.

Meanwhile, the ministry of external affairs has said it created a “high-level” inquiry committee to look into the case.