An Indian man accused of plotting to assassinate a Sikh separatist on US soil is anticipated to seem in a New York courtroom on Monday on homicide fees.
Nikhil Gupta was extradited to the US over the weekend after he was arrested final yr within the Czech Republic.
He’s charged by US authorities with attempting to rent a hitman to assassinate Sikh separatist chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a twin US-Canadian citizen.
US prosecutors allege Mr Gupta was directed by an unnamed Indian authorities official. India denies having something to do with the alleged plot.
Final month, the Czech Constitutional Court docket rejected a petition by Mr Gupta, who denies the costs he faces, towards his extradition to the US.
Mr Gupta, 52, is anticipated to be produced within the decrease Manhattan courthouse on federal murder-for-hire fees. The fees towards him carry as much as 20 years in jail.
Jail information present he’s at present being held on the federal Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn. The BBC has contacted his legal professionals for remark.
On Monday, the Czech justice minister confirmed media reviews, saying Mr Gupta had been extradited to the US on Friday, 14 June.
In November, US prosecutors charged Mr Gupta with a plot to kill at the least 4 Sikh separatists in North America, together with Mr Pannun.
Mr Gupta paid $100,000 (£79,000) in money to a hitman to assassinate Mr Pannun, prosecutors stated. The hitman, they added, was an undercover federal agent.
Mr Pannun is a twin US-Canadian citizen residing in New York.
He’s the final counsel for Sikhs for Justice, an organisation based mostly within the US that helps the broader Khalistan motion, which requires an unbiased homeland for Sikhs, who make up about 2% of India’s inhabitants.
Mr Pannun was designated a terrorist by the Indian authorities in 2020, an allegation he denies.
He was additionally an affiliate of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist chief who was shot lifeless in Canada in his automotive final yr.
The homicide led to a deterioration in India-Canada ties after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged there have been “credible allegations” that Delhi had been concerned. India denied the accusations.
In November, the White Home stated it had raised the alleged assassination plot towards Mr Pannun with India on the most senior stage.
Indian officers distanced themselves from the alleged plot, saying such actions have been towards authorities coverage. Delhi stated it had fashioned a committee to research the allegations towards Mr Gupta.
A bunch of US lawmakers urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to steer a “robust diplomatic response” that will guarantee all events concerned “are held accountable”, in keeping with a 17 June letter that was obtained by the BBC.
The US and India “have an important relationship throughout a number of domains”, and their ties should “be grounded in shared dedication to democratic ideas and the rule of regulation”, the letter provides.
In January, India’s Supreme Court docket rejected a plea from Mr Gupta which requested it to assist his launch and assist him get a good trial. The petition in India claimed Mr Gupta was arrested by “self-claimed” US federal brokers and had not but been given a good trial.
India’s high courtroom stated it might not intervene within the case, including that it was as much as the federal government to take motion.
