NEW DELHI: In a recent development related to the case of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, detained in Prague, the Czech Constitutional Court has dismissed Gupta’s petition against his extradition to the United States. Gupta faces charges related to an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting a Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.
Nikhil Gupta, aged 52, was arrested in Prague on June 30, 2023, and has since been detained in connection with the foiled assassination attempt on Pannun, who holds dual American and Canadian citizenships.
The US federal prosecutors indicted Gupta last November, alleging his involvement in the conspiracy alongside an Indian government official. Despite Gupta’s petition against extradition, the Czech Constitutional Court ruled that no constitutional rights or freedoms would be violated by his extradition to the United States.
“The Constitutional Court did not find any circumstance for which declaring extradition admissible would lead to a violation of any of the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms,” the court said in a statement.
The court’s decision affirmed earlier rulings by lower courts, emphasizing that due consideration had been given to factors potentially impeding extradition. Furthermore, the court rejected assertions that the case held political implications.
Gupta’s legal avenues in the Czech Republic have now been exhausted, with the Constitutional Court’s decision marking the conclusion of proceedings in Czech courts. The final determination regarding Gupta’s extradition rests with Justice Minister Pavel Blazek.
(With inputs from agencies)
Nikhil Gupta, aged 52, was arrested in Prague on June 30, 2023, and has since been detained in connection with the foiled assassination attempt on Pannun, who holds dual American and Canadian citizenships.
The US federal prosecutors indicted Gupta last November, alleging his involvement in the conspiracy alongside an Indian government official. Despite Gupta’s petition against extradition, the Czech Constitutional Court ruled that no constitutional rights or freedoms would be violated by his extradition to the United States.
“The Constitutional Court did not find any circumstance for which declaring extradition admissible would lead to a violation of any of the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms,” the court said in a statement.
The court’s decision affirmed earlier rulings by lower courts, emphasizing that due consideration had been given to factors potentially impeding extradition. Furthermore, the court rejected assertions that the case held political implications.
Gupta’s legal avenues in the Czech Republic have now been exhausted, with the Constitutional Court’s decision marking the conclusion of proceedings in Czech courts. The final determination regarding Gupta’s extradition rests with Justice Minister Pavel Blazek.
(With inputs from agencies)
