Nikhil Gupta, an Indian man has been arrested for planning a plot to kill US citizen of Indian origin Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a prominent pro-Khalistani leader who has been off late raising a lot of anti-India slogans in US.
Nikhil Gupta, the man in the centre of controversy in connivance with an Indian official contacted an undercover agent with a plan to assassinate Mr. Pannun. However, the agent was advised to refrain from carrying out the plan during a period when high-level meetings between US and Indian government officials were expected, the US Justice Department alleged. In a deal brokered by Mr. Gupta, the duo arranged an advanced payment of “$100,000” to the hit man. However, what Mr. Nikhil Gupta was unaware of was that the undercover agent or hitman was an US Agent.
Background of Nikhil Gupta
As per US prosecutors, Mr. Gupta in the past was charged of drug and weapon trafficking. He also faces charges of two counts of murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire conspiracy. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
Indian Government Response
The Government of India responded by saying that an Indian Government official linked to a plot to murder a US National is a matter of concern. India’s foreign ministry spokesperson further added that any such plot is not the government’s policy.
“India needs to take Canada’s allegations seriously,” Trudeau said post the US case. To this, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “In so far as Canada is concerned, we have said that they have consistently given space to anti-India extremists and , “In so far as Canada is concerned, we have said that they have consistently given space to anti-India extremists and that is actually the heart of the issue. Our diplomatic representatives in Canada have borne the brunt of this. So, we expect the the Government of Canada to live up to its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. We have also seen interference by Canadian diplomats in our internal affairs and that is unacceptable.”
It is pertinent to mention here that pro-Khalistani elements has become quite active during the last one year and has been causing extensive damage to India’s reputation abroad.
