Plot to assassinate Khalistani separatists in Pannun: accused Nikhil Gupta is extradited to the United States

At the US government's request, Gupta, 52, was detained in the Czech Republic last year on suspicion of taking part in a plan to kill Sikh rebel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

According to US authorities, Gupta paid USD 15,000 in advance to a hitman he hired to assassinate Pannun.

On June 16, media reports reported that Nikhil Gupta, an Indian citizen, was deported from the Czech Republic. He may have been complicit in a plot to kill a Sikh separatist for pay.

At the request of the US government, Gupta, 52, was arrested in the Czech Republic last year on accusations of being involved in a plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. His production is expected before a New York federal court on Monday.

Gupta is now being held as a prisoner in the federal Metropolitan Detention Centre located in Brooklyn. His extradition was initially reported by The Washington Post.

"In order to discuss sensitive legal proceedings, people familiar with the matter spoke on circumstances surrounding anonymity. Gupta, who had been detained in the Czech Republic, reappeared in New York over the weekend." Extradited defendants usually have to show up in court the day after they enter the nation, according to the newspaper.

Federal officials claim that Gupta gave a hitman a $15,000 advance payment to kill Pannun. They claim that an unnamed Indian government person was responsible for it.

Gupta's extradition takes place ahead of US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's yearly travel to New Delhi for the ICET conversation. It is expected that Sullivan would raise the issue with his Indian colleague, Ajit Doval.

India has denied any involvement in the case in issue and has begun an investigation into the charges.

Gupta has refuted the allegations and said that he has been "unfairly charged" via the representation of his lawyer.

"Gupta's attorney, Rohini Musa, wrote in a request for relief to the Indian Supreme Court that her client is being unfairly prosecuted, alleging there is nothing on record to link the Petitioner to the massive supposed plot to assassinate the alleged victim," The Washington Post reported.

"Musa said that during the first stage of his imprisonment, Gupta was given unfavorable legal advice by a Czech government-appointed lawyer owing to the improper influence of a U.S. Agencies. She said that the US and India were always blaming one another for their foreign policies, according to the newspaper.