Pannun murder plot: Top Czech court halts Nikhil Gupta's extradition to US, says report

The Constitutional Court in Prague,which is the highest court of the Czech Republic, halted the extradition of Indian Nikhil Gupta to the United States (US), according to a report by The Indian Express on Tuesday (May 7).Gupta was indicted by Washington for plotting to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

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Speaking to The Indian Express, Czech Justice Ministry spokespersonMarkéta Andrová said that thecourt'sdecision meant the justice minister could not decide on extradition or refusal until the Constitutional Court decided on the merits of the complaint filed by Gupta.

On January 19,Gupta challenged the decisions of the municipal court in Prague (dated November 23, 2023),and the high court in the capital city (dated January 8 this year).Both thecourts ruledpositively on the admissibility of the US request for his extradition, the report said.

Alluding to the involvement of state actors,Gupta’slawyer was learntto have argued that the municipal court and the high court did notproperlyassess the political nature of the act.

Eleven days later (on January 30), the top court said thatGupta’sextradition to the US for criminal prosecution would result in disproportionatelygreaterharm to the man than anyone else.

These developments come a week after the US reiterated its stance on seeking accountability from the Indian government about the ongoing investigation into the murder plot of Pannun.

Addressing a briefing at the White House on April 30, StateDepartment'sPrincipal Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel saidthat thereis an ongoing dialogue and that the US expects accountability from the Indian authorities.

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"So we continue to expect accountability from the Government of India based on the results of the Indian inquirycommittee'swork, and we are regularly working with them and inquiring for additional updates,"Patel said on being askedabout a reportby The Washington Postwhich named an Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)official as being involvedin the alleged plot.

"We'llalso continue to raise our concerns directly with the Indian government at senior levels...,"Patel added.

The claims made in the Washington Post report were dismissed by New Delhi.Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week that the report was"speculative and irresponsible".

"The report in question makes unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter. There is an ongoing investigation of the High-Level Committee set up by the Government of India to look into the security concerns shared by the US government on networks of organised criminals, terrorists and others,"Jaiswal said.

"Speculative and irresponsible comments on it are not helpful,"he added.

(With inputs from agencies)