Authorities in the Czech Republic have granted India consular access to Nikhil Gupta on at least on three occasions since he was arrested on June 30, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. U.S. authorities have accused Mr. Gupta of planning to assassinate U.S.-based pro-Khalistan activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in collaboration with an Indian official.
“An Indian national is currently in custody of the Czech authorities pending a request for extradition to the U.S. We received consular access to him, at least on three occasions. We are extending necessary consular assistance to the individual as per requirement,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, giving an insight into India’s exchanges with the Czech authorities regarding Mr. Gupta. A member of Mr. Gupta’s family has gone to the Supreme Court seeking remedy in the case. Mr. Bagchi refused to comment on the case.
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Khalistan spokesperson
The Czech Republic’s Ministry of Justice had earlier announced that Mr. Gupta had been arrested based on a request from the U.S. Authorities there have accused Mr. Gupta of agreeing to pay $100,000 to a hired assassin to carry out the murder of Mr. Pannun, who has emerged as a major spokesperson for the separatist Khalistan movement that aspires for a separate Sikh homeland in Punjab.
U.S. allegations regarding Mr. Pannun have emerged as an irritant in India-U.S. relations. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Financial Times that India would “definitely look into” the allegations if provided adequate information. “If someone gives us any information, we would definitely look into it. If a citizen of ours has done anything good or bad, we are ready to look into it. Our commitment is to the rule of law,” Mr. Modi said.
