Indian national, accused of a murder-for-hire plot against a Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, pleads not guilty in a US court

An Indian national suspected of being part in a murder-for-hire conspiracy against a Sikh separatist on American territory has pleaded not guilty in federal court, days after being extradited from the Czech Republic on Friday.

The 52-year-old Nikhil Gupta, also known as Nick, was detained in the Czech Republic in June last year at the behest of the US authorities on allegations of conspiring to kill Khalistani insurgent Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. Pannun maintains dual American and Canadian citizenship.

Gupta was brought before a federal court in New York on Monday and pled not guilty, according to his attorney, Jeffrey Chabrowe. Last month, the Czech Constitutional Court dismissed Gupta's bid to prevent his extradition to the United States to face the allegations. According to US prosecutors, Gupta hired a hitman to assassinate Pannun and paid him $15,000 in advance. Gupta has disputed the claims and stated that he was "unfairly charged" through his lawyers.

"Unwarranted and unsubstantiated."
US federal authorities claim Gupta was acting on the orders of an alleged Indian government official. However, India has denied any participation in such a case and has launched a high-level probe into the accusations. Czech authorities have released footage of Gupta's extradition to the United States on June 14, which shows New York Police personnel transporting him.

On Monday, the Czech Justice Minister revealed that Gupta had been extradited to the United States. "On the basis of my decision on (June 3), Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta, who is suspected of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire with intent to cause death, was extradited to the US on Friday (June 14) for criminal prosecution," Pavel Blazek, the Czech justice minister, stated in a regarding X.

Previously, the Ministry of External Affairs disputed accusations of government participation, calling them "unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations" that Indian operatives were involved in the conspiracy to assassinate Pannun. India has officially said that a high-level investigation is underway investigating the material given by the US in the purported plan to assassinate Pannun.

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"This is a complex matter for both our countries," Gupta's attorney Chabrowe told PTI ahead of his client's federal court appearance. "It is critical that we avoid from jumping to conclusions so early in the process. Background and specifics will emerge that may present official charges in a whole new light," Chabrowe stated. "We will pursue his defence vigorously and ensure he receives full due process, regardless of outside pressures," he stated.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland stated on Monday that "this extradition makes clear that the Justice Department will not condone threats to keep quiet or endanger American citizens." "Nikhil Gupta will now face punishment in an American trial for his role in an alleged conspiracy to target and murder a US citizen for his support of the Sikh separatist cause in India,” he stated. The plot was allegedly orchestrated by an official of the Indian government.