Indian Accused of Plot to Murder Pannun can be Extradited to US, says Czech Court

Defense News ,U.S :- A court in the Czech Republic has decided that Prague can send Nikhil Gupta, a 52-year-old man from India, to the United States. Gupta is accused by the U.S. of being part of an attempt to harm Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. This information comes from Czech media outlet Seznam Zpravy, which referred to judicial database Infosoud.

Even though the court ruled in favor of extradition, the final decision still rests with Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blazek. Gupta was taken into custody in Prague last June based on a U.S.-Czech extradition treaty.

Presently, Gupta is in Prague’s Pankrac prison, as reported by a Czech news website. The Prague High Court upheld the decision of the initial court during a closed hearing this week.

In defense of Gupta, his lawyer, Petr Slepicka, argued at the Prague High Court that, according to the Indian government, Pannun poses a threat to India’s security similar to how Osama bin Laden is seen as a threat to the USA.

Gupta claims that the case related to the alleged plot involving Pannun has political or military connections. However, the judge dismissed the defense's argument, stating it was not a political case.

Vladimir Sepka, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, mentioned that it is uncertain how long the process for Gupta’s extradition will take. According to Seznam Zpravy, Repka stated, “The time frame of the minister’s decision cannot be predicted now.”

Meanwhile, Gupta’s lawyer, Petr Slepicka, announced their intention to file a complaint with the Constitutional Court. He stated, “We will file a constitutional complaint and at the same time we will ask the Minister of Justice not to extradite my client to the USA.”

In addition, the Supreme Court of India on January 4 rejected a petition on behalf of Gupta, requesting consular access, legal aid, and intervention in ongoing extradition proceedings in the Czech Republic.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is considered a terrorist by India and holds citizenship in the U.S. and Canada. According to the U.S. Justice Department, Gupta is currently in custody and faces charges of murder-for-hire, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Czech authorities arrested Gupta on June 30, following the extradition treaty between the U.S. and the Czech Republic.

The U.S. Justice Department claimed that an Indian government employee, not named in the indictment, recruited Gupta to hire someone to assassinate Pannun. This alleged plot was reportedly thwarted by U.S. authorities. The indictment further states that Gupta is associated with CC-1, an unidentified person who directed the alleged plot, and is involved in international narcotics and weapons trafficking. The indictment asserts that CC-1 directed the assassination plot from India.