An Indian man suspected of involvement in an alleged plot to kill a Sikh separatist on American soil has been extradited to the United States from the Czech Republic. Nikhil Gupta, accused by U.S. federal prosecutors of plotting to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S. resident advocating for a sovereign Sikh state in northern India, was extradited after being arrested in Prague last June.
Gupta, 52, is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, according to the federal Bureau of Prisons website. The extradition follows a Czech court's rejection of Gupta's petition to avoid being sent to the U.S., paving the way for his transfer.
The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment on the matter, while Gupta's U.S.-based lawyer had no immediate statement. Canadian authorities have also pursued allegations linking India's government to the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023.
While India denies involvement in the alleged plots, the U.S. and Canada have raised concerns about assassination attempts against Sikh separatists. Pannun, the target of the attempted murder plot, welcomed Gupta's extradition but claimed that senior members of the Indian government were behind the scheme.
India has distanced itself from the allegations, stating that the plot goes against government policy. The government has pledged to investigate security concerns raised by Washington and address the issue of Sikh separatist groups advocating for an independent state.
Washington has expressed satisfaction with India's initial steps to address the alleged plots but emphasized the need for further actions to ensure accountability. The ongoing developments highlight the complex dynamics surrounding Sikh separatism and the diplomatic challenges faced by the involved nations.
