Pannun Murder Plot: Accused Nikhil Gupta Pleads Not Guilty In US Court, Attorney Says 'Complex Matter For Both Nations'

Nikhil Gupta, accused of being involved in a murder-for-hire plot against a Sikh extremist was produced before a New York federal court on Monday where he pleaded not guilty.

Nikhil Gupta, the Indian national who is accused of being involved in a murder-for-hire plot against a Sikh extremist on American soil, pleaded not guilty in the case at a federal court on Monday.

The 52-year-old accused was extradited on Friday from the Czech Republic to the US. Gupta was apprehended in the Czech Republic in 2023 at the request of the US government as he was charged for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani separatist, in New York.

According to his attorney, Jeffrey Chabrowe, Gupta was produced before a New York federal court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty, PTI reported.

Last month, the Czech Constitutional Court had rejected a petition filed by Gupta against his extradition to the US.

US federal prosecutors alleged that the accused Indian national had been working on the directions of an Indian government official. However, India denied its involvement in the case, and instituted a high-level probe into the allegations made by the US.

'Complex Matter For Both Our Countries': Gupta's Attorney

Ahead of Gupta's arraignment in a federal court, his attorney Chabrowe told PTI, “This is a complex matter for both our countries." 

"It is extremely important that we refrain from rushing to conclusions so early in the process. Background and details will develop that may cast government allegations into an entirely new light," Chabrowe said, adding that he will pursue Gupta's defence "vigorously" to ensure that "he got the full due process, irrespective of the pressures from outside," PTI reported.

Earlier, it was confirmed by the Czech Justice Minister that Gupta was extradited to the US.

"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," Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blazek stated in a post on X.

As per the US Federal prosecutors, Gupta hired a hitman to kill Pannun, for which he made an advacne payment of USD 15,000.

However, Gupta denied the charges through his attorney, stressing that was being unfairly charged.

In April 2024, The Washington Post reported that a Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer was behind the plot, and that the operation was sanctioned by the then R&AW chief. 

India's Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the report saying that it made "unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations".