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Manhattan/United States: An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, has found himself in the crosshairs of the United States legal system, accused of conspiring to murder an American citizen of Indian origin. The targeted individual, unidentified in the allegations, is a supporter of the creation of a sovereign Sikh state. The indictment was brought forward by the US attorney’s office in Manhattan, and Gupta, who was captured by Czech authorities in June, is currently in custody awaiting extradition.
The indictment reveals a conspiracy allegedly emanating from India, implicating Gupta in a murder-for-hire scheme. Court documents indicate that Gupta was directed by an Indian government employee, raising questions about the Indian government’s possible involvement in the scheme.
The US administration has expressed concern over the safety of Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is also a US citizen and a vocal critic of the Indian government. The revelation follows a similar statement by a senior Biden administration official about the failed plot against Pannun.
The targeted individual leads a US-based organization that supports the secession of Punjab, a region in India with a significant Sikh population. The group advocates the establishment of Khalistan, a sovereign state for Sikhs. The Indian government, however, has often reacted sharply to these demands, leading to increasing tensions. The indictment of Gupta can be seen as an extension of these underlying political tensions, unfolding on an international stage.
The case has triggers international scrutiny, with the White House asserting that it had raised the issue with the Indian government at the most senior levels. The response from Indian officials was reportedly one of ‘surprise and concern’. In a series of development, Canada recently cited ‘credible’ allegations of Indian agents being linked to the June murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver, allegations that India denies. These developments point to a potentially escalating situation with international implications.
Ultimately, the allegations against Gupta underscore the complex political tensions between India and Sikh separatists in the US and Canada. The case also highlights the extended reach of these tensions, resulting in alleged assassination plots on foreign soil.
Who is Nikhil Gupta?
52-year-old Nikhil Gupta is a Indian national who according to the US justice department paid a killer to murder a Khalistani terrorist in the US. According to US officials, in May 2023, Gupta was recruited by an individual to orchestrate the assassination of the victim in the United States. Gupta was apprehended in the Czech Republic at the request of the United States in connection with his participation in the conspiracy with murder the individual. It was not immediately clear when Gupta might be extradited to the US.
