U.S. charges Indian national in alleged assassination plot of Sikh separatist in NYC

https://www.npr.org/2023/11/29/ [login to see] /sikh-assassination-plot-charges-india
The Justice Department announced charges Wednesday against an Indian national for allegedly taking part in a murder-for-hire scheme on U.S. soil orchestrated by an Indian government employee. The alleged plan was to assassinate an American citizen who is a leader in the Sikh separatist movement.

The indictment, unsealed in federal court in Manhattan, says the plot was foiled by U.S. law enforcement. But the allegations come just months after Canada accused Indian government agents of murdering a Sikh community leader in British Columbia, raising fresh questions about India's actions abroad and potentially complicating Washington's relationship with New Delhi.

Court papers do not identify the intended victim, but Gurpatwant Singh Pannum, the general counsel for Sikhs for Justice, said in a statement on X that he was the target.

The man charged with plotting to kill him is 52-year-old Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national and resident who court papers say was previously involved in international narcotics and weapons trafficking. He faces one count of murder for hire, and one count of murder-for-hire conspiracy.

American officials say Gupta was arrested in June in the Czech Republic at the U.S.'s request. Gupta is still in the Czech Republic pending his extradition.

Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said the Biden administration has "engaged in direct conversations with the Indian government at the highest levels to express our concern."

She said India indicated they "were taking this seriously and would investigate," adding that the U.S. is proving information to aid India's internal investigation.

CIA Director Bill Burns and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan had both discussed the alleged plot with their Indian counterparts in recent months and pressed them to hold those responsible accountable, according to a senior administration official. President Biden also raised the matter directly with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when they met at the Group of 20 summit.