Family of Indian Citizen Nikhil Gupta, Accused In Khalistani Terrorist Pannun's 'Killing Plot' In US, Moves Supreme Court

The family of Nikhil Gupta, a 52-year-old Indian citizen accused of participating in a supposed assassination plan against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, petitioned the Supreme Court on Friday (15 December). They claimed that Gupta has been unlawfully held in the Czech Republic.

According to India Today, the family appealed to the Supreme Court for assistance and intervention from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Home Ministry with the Czech authorities.

The family's appeal to the Supreme Court stated, "The appellant, who is a law-abiding citizen of India, is currently held in a foreign prison in Prague, where his life is under serious threat."

Accused of participating in the "government plot" to assassinate Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Pannu, Nikhil Gupta has been incarcerated in the Czech Republic since June.

In the request, the family also pointed out that, "He has been held unlawfully by Czech officials since 30 June 2023, caught up in an apparent political feud between the US and Indian governments. He asserts that the extradition proceedings started in Prague are tainted by procedural errors, emphasizing the missing arrest warrant, absence of fair representation, and denial of fundamental rights, making the trial far from just."

The Czech Republic's Ministry of Justice has verified the detention and temporary custody of Nikhil Gupta. This measure was initiated at the request of the United States, who has charged Gupta, an Indian citizen, with participation in a 'contract killing' scheme aimed at Khalistani terrorist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

The American officials accused Gupta of conspiring to assassinate Pannun in the United States, under the instructions of an unidentified employee of the Indian government. Gupta was apprehended by the law enforcement authorities in the Czech Republic in June of this year.