Khalistani Terrorist Murder Plot: Czech Government Moved Nikhil Gupta To Solitary Confinement After US Input On Threat To His Life

Nikhil Gupta, a 52-year-old Indian citizen who was arrested in Prague six months ago based on US inputs alleging his involvement in a plot to kill Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun at the behest of an Indian government official, has been moved to solitary confinement in Pankrác prison.

This relocation was reportedly prompted by a warning from the US about a potential threat to his life.

A recent plea before the Supreme Court from a family member of Gupta underscored his solitary confinement as a “grave violation of his fundamental rights".

The plea, which argued that Gupta's arrest was a case of mistaken identity, requested the court to instruct the Union government to intervene in his extradition proceedings in the Czech Republic based on a request from the United States.

However, the apex court rejected the plea last week, citing the sensitivity of the matter and emphasising that it is the “government’s responsibility to take action.”

The threat to Gupta's life was revealed in an email written by Rudolf Sedlacek, who leads the prison guard division of the Czech Republic's Prison Service.

This email was sent in the final week of October 2023 to the Prague municipal court, at a time when the court was deliberating on the arguments concerning the US government's extradition request for Gupta, Indian Express reported.

In the correspondence, Sedlacek seeks the court's permission to allow Gupta to join a hearing set for 9 November 2023, through a video conference. He explained that the request was based on information from the Czech government that Gupta could face serious security risks.

Citing these security concerns, Sedlacek emphasised the potential risks of moving Gupta out of prison for the court proceedings, as it would require additional resources to ensure his security in line with the perceived threat level.

The municipal court in Prague had eventually ruled in favour of Gupta’s extradition to the US in November which Gupta has challenged in a higher court.

Petr Slepicka, Gupta's attorney in Prague, verified that his client was transferred to solitary confinement in Pankrác prison following reports of a potential threat to Gupta's life.

“Yes, he is now in a cell all by himself. Two prison guards always accompany him whenever he moves outside his cell. Even when I have to meet him now, there is a glass wall separating him and me,” Slepicka said, IE reported.

On 30 June last year, Nikhil Gupta was arrested by Czech officials on the request of the US government.

Gupta has been accused by US prosecutors of trying to contract a hitman to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistan separatist and a US citizen, who has been labeled as a terrorist under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The purported plot was reportedly masterminded by an unidentified Indian intelligence officer, according to the US government. Notably, the assassin that Gupta tried to hire was in fact an undercover operative from the US government's Drug Enforcement Administration.

Gupta’s arrest unfolded upon his arrival at Václav Havel Airport in Prague, where he was allegedly scheduled to meet the undercover agent.