The Czech Republic Police recently released the first visuals of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of involvement in a murder-for-hire plot against Sikh extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, being extradited to the United States. Gupta, 52, was extradited to the US on June 14 from the Czech Republic following his arrest in Prague a year ago. Czech justice minister Pavel Blazek confirmed the extradition and stated that on June 14, Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta, suspected of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire with intent to cause death, was handed over to the US. Gupta was detained at the Prague airport last year under extradition orders issued by the US Justice Department. The US Justice Department alleges that Gupta targeted a vocal critic of the Indian government leading a US-based organization advocating for the secession of Punjab. Nikhil Gupta has pleaded not guilty in the case at a federal court in New York. He has been accused of hiring a hitman to kill Pannun and paying USD 15,000 in advance. In April 2024, The Washington Post named Vikram Yadav, a Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer, as the Indian behind the plot. However, India denied involvement. The extradition of Gupta signifies the US’s resolve to prosecute individuals involved in such plots. If convicted, Gupta could face up to 20 years in prison. The case has implications for US-India relations and the ongoing tensions surrounding Sikh separatist movements.
