Czech SC halts Nikhil Gupta's extradition to US over alleged Gurpatwant Pannun assassination plot: Report
- In Reports
- 07:14 PM, May 07, 2024
- Myind Staff
According to The Indian Express, the highest court in the Czech Republic has suspended the extradition rulings issued by lower courts regarding Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused by the United States of plotting the assassination of Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The decision was made after assessing the potential harm to public interest caused by delaying the extradition.
IE was informed by Markéta Andrová, spokesperson of the Czech Ministry of Justice, that the interim decision indicates "the Minister of Justice cannot decide on extradition or refusal until the Constitutional Court decides on the merits of the complaint filed by Nikhil Gupta".
The Constitutional Court in Prague issued an interim ruling on January 30, 2024, stating that extraditing Nikhil Gupta to the US for prosecution would inflict significantly more harm on him than anyone else.
It highlighted the irreversible consequences of such an action, regardless of the outcome of Gupta's challenge. A representative from the Ministry of Justice also mentioned that there is no set timeframe for the Constitutional Court to deliver its verdict on the merits of the extradition.
Nikhil Gupta, currently in custody, faces charges of murder-for-hire, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Czech authorities arrested and detained Gupta on June 30, citing the bilateral extradition treaty between the United States and the Czech Republic.
In response, the Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over the case filed against an individual in a US court, allegedly linking him to an Indian official, which contradicts government policy. India has established a high-level committee to investigate the matter.
In response to the US Justice Department's indictment in November 2023, the MEA spokesperson stated, "We cannot provide further information on such security matters. As for the case against an individual filed in a US court, allegedly linking him to an Indian official, this is a matter of concern. We have stated, and I reiterate, that this is contrary to government policy."
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, designated as a terrorist by India, holds American and Canadian citizenship. In November, the US Justice Department unveiled an indictment against Nikhil Gupta for his alleged involvement in a thwarted plot to assassinate Pannun.
Image source: Hindustan Times
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