‘Won’t Speak Until…’: US On Probe Into Khalistani Terrorist Pannun’s Alleged Murder Plot
The US State Department has categorically stated that they will not make any statements on the alleged plot to assassinate the Sikh separatist leader until the accusations have been substantiated in a court of law.
In the midst of an ongoing legal battle, the US State Department has opted to remain tight-lipped regarding the investigation surrounding the alleged conspiracy to assassinate Khalistani terrorist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Stressing the importance of due process, the department has made it clear that they will withhold any comments until the allegations are proven before a jury. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, addressed queries on this delicate issue during a recent briefing, underlining the sensitivity and complexity of the matter at hand.
The US State Department has categorically stated that they will not make any statements on the alleged plot to assassinate the Sikh terrorist leader until the accusations have been substantiated in a court of law. “There’s a publicly returned indictment that contains alleged facts or allegations. Until they’re proven before a jury that anyone can go and read, I won’t speak to them here because, of course, it’s an ongoing legal matter, and I’ll leave it at that,” spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a State Department briefing on Thursday (local time).
The case revolves around Pannun, an India-designated terrorist holding American and Canadian citizenship.
A recent ruling by a Czech court has paved the way for the extradition of 52-year-old Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, to the United States. Gupta, who is accused of involvement in an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting Sikh separatist leader Pannun, is currently in custody and faces charges that could lead to a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Gupta was arrested and detained by Czech authorities on June 30, 2023, under the provisions of the bilateral extradition treaty between the US and the Czech Republic. According to the US Justice Department, an Indian government employee allegedly recruited Gupta to hire a hitman to carry out the assassination, a plan that was thwarted by US authorities.
The Indian government, including the External Affairs Ministry, has denied any involvement in the alleged plot. In April, a report by The Washington Post claiming the participation of an Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) official in the scheme was refuted by Indian authorities.
Describing it as an “unwarranted and unsubstantiated” imputation on a “serious matter” that is under investigation, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the US media report was “speculative and irresponsible.”
India has also set up a high-level committee to probe the matter.
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