India Gets Consular Access In Nikhil Gupta Case In Czech Republic
Nikhil Gupta, who has been imprisoned in the Czech city of Prague since the US accused him of participating in a thwarted plan to kill a Sikh separatist on American soil, was granted consular access to India three times. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi further stated that India is providing Gupta with the appropriate consular support.
"An Indian national is currently detained by Czech authorities pending extradition to the United States. We have had consular access at least three times," Bagchi said during his weekly press conference in answer to a query on the Gupta issue.
"We are extending necessary consular assistance as per requirement," the official added.
The US government has charged Gupta, 52, with conspiring to assassinate US-born Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
His family petitioned the Supreme Court last week, requesting that the Indian government intervene in the extradition procedures and provide a fair trial in the case.
"This person's family has gone to our Supreme Court, and this is a process that is ongoing in the Supreme Court. I do not believe it is proper for us to remark on questions such as jurisdiction. We'll see what the Supreme Court says," Bagchi remarked.
Federal prosecutors in the United States have charged Gupta with conspiring with an Indian government employee to assassinate Pannun, who has dual citizenship in the United States and Canada.
India has already formed an inquiry committee to look into the accusations.
The external affairs ministry spokeswoman also stated that India has taken the claims seriously, adding that the US side has supplied "inputs" and that a high-level inquiry committee has been formed to investigate all pertinent elements of the situation.
Bagchi stated this when asked about five serving Indian-American members of the US Congress who have warned that the case could cause major damage to India-US ties if New Delhi does not hold those responsible for Pannun's death.
"As previously stated, we take it seriously. The US side has provided input, and a high-level inquiry committee has been formed to look into all relevant aspects of the matter," Bagchi added.
"These members of Congress have also taken note of this fact. I have no further information," he continued.
Last week, FBI Director Christopher Wray visited India in the aftermath of Washington's charges in the case.
Earlier this month, US Principal Deputy NSA Jonathan Finer visited India and spoke with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, and Deputy NSA Vikran Misri.
Following the visit, the White House stated that Finer stressed to New Delhi the necessity of prosecuting anyone found culpable in the probe that India announced to investigate the alleged Indian connection to the "lethal plotting."
