Indian Gov Official Directed Gurpatwant Pannu Assassination Plot : US
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The U.S. Justice Department reveals that a plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on U.S. soil was directed by an Indian government official. Nikhil Gupta, 52, allegedly orchestrated the attempted murder in collaboration with the Indian government employee, targeting a Sikh advocate for a sovereign state in northern India. The charges follow a recent statement by a senior Biden administration official, warning India about its involvement in the foiled plot. The target, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, leads a U.S.-based organization advocating for Punjab’s secession.
India’s foreign ministry pledges a formal investigation into the U.S. concerns, emphasizing the serious implications for national security. This incident follows Canada’s claims of Indian involvement in the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urges India to take the allegations seriously, pending submission of proof by Canada.
Canadian PM Trudeau, notably silent on the matter for some time, issued a statement hours after the U.S. Justice Department announced charges against a 52-year-old Indian man. The accused, Nikhil Gupta, was arrested by Czech authorities in June and is alleged to have collaborated with an Indian government employee, according to the Justice Department. However, they did not disclose the identity of the Indian government employee.
On Gurpatwant Singh Pannun killing row, US Justice Dept says “Indian govt employee working with others directed a plot to assassinate “political activist”; US authorities says hitman who was undercover U.S. law enforcement officer was given $100,000 to kill Pannu.
On November 30, 2023, during a press conference, India’s MEA Spokesperson said, ‘It’s not government policy’ regarding the alleged Indian involvement and U.S. documents linking Indian officials to a plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Pannu. The MEA terms the case against an individual in the U.S. and its connection with an Indian official as ‘concerning’ and ‘contrary to government policy.