Nikhil Gupta arrested in alleged plot to kill sikh separatist; Appeals to SC for release

• Nikhil Gupta, accused in a plot to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has filed a plea in the SC seeking the Indian government's intervention for his release from Czech prison
• US federal prosecutors charged Gupta with collaborating with an Indian government employee in the foiled assassination attempt on Pannun
• The Indian government, expressing concern, has initiated an inquiry panel to investigate the alleged link between the Indian official and Gupta

Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of involvement in a failed plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court seeking the intervention of the Indian government for his release from prison in the Czech Republic.

The plea follows charges filed by US federal prosecutors against Gupta, alleging his collaboration with an Indian government employee in the foiled assassination attempt on Pannun, an American and Canadian citizen. Gupta's arrest in the Czech Republic was confirmed by the Ministry of Justice, acting on the request of the United States, which subsequently submitted an extradition request.

A spokesperson for the Czech Ministry of Justice, Vladimir Repka, stated that Gupta faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder for hire, according to US authorities. The Indian government has expressed concern over the alleged link between the Indian official and Gupta, promising follow-up action based on findings from an inquiry panel investigating the accusations.

The US Principal Deputy NSA, Jonathan Finer, during his recent visit to India, acknowledged the establishment of an Indian committee of inquiry to investigate the matter, emphasizing the importance of holding accountable anyone found responsible. India has described as a 'matter of concern' the US linking the Indian official to a man charged with conspiring to kill Pannun, India has already constituted a probe team to investigate the allegations.