In a significant development, a habeas corpus petition has been filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of plotting the assassination of Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The petition seeks the intervention of the Indian government to secure Gupta's release from a Czech prison, where he is currently held pending extradition to the US. Last month, US federal prosecutors charged Gupta with attempting to hire a hitman to assassinate Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist with American-Canadian citizenship, revealing that the 'hitman' was an undercover American federal agent.
India has expressed concern over the US linking an Indian official to the foiled plot and has initiated an inquiry to investigate the alleged connection. A probe team has been constituted to delve into the allegations, emphasizing India's commitment to holding anyone found responsible accountable. During his recent visit to India, US principal deputy NSA Jonathan Finer conveyed the importance of accountability in the probe, acknowledging India's establishment of an inquiry committee to investigate the "lethal plotting."
Finer held talks with key Indian authorities, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, and Deputy NSA Vikram Misri. His visit came on the heels of American prosecutors linking an Indian official to the conspiracy to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
