Nikhil Gupta, a Delhi-based businessman, was arrested in the Czech Republic on the request of the US for allegedly plotting to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. In a petition to the Supreme Court of Bharat, Gupta’s family claimed that his arrest violated his fundamental rights. They stated that he was not shown any formal arrest warrant during his initial detention, and the apprehension was carried out by individuals claiming to represent US interests, not local Czech authorities.
According to the petition, Gupta, a devout Hindu and vegetarian, was subjected to forced consumption of beef and pork during his detention, which goes against his religious beliefs. He has been kept in solitary confinement for over 100 days. The petitioner alleges that he was denied consular access, the right to contact his family in Bharat, and the freedom to seek legal representation. Gupta is described as a law-abiding citizen residing in New Delhi with his family.
The US Justice Department had disclosed Gupta’s name in November, charging him with participating in a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen of Bharat origin in New York. The document revealed that Gupta, allegedly involved in international narcotics and weapons trafficking, had contacted Bharat government employee for the assassination plot. Gupta reportedly hired a hitman, who turned out to be an undercover cop, leading to the foiling of the plot. Upon arriving in the Czech Republic, Gupta was arrested.
The family’s petition to the Supreme Court highlighted numerous procedural violations threatening Gupta’s fundamental and basic human rights. They expressed concern about leaks of confidential information regarding the case, putting Gupta’s life and his family’s well-being at risk in both the Czech Republic and Bharat. The petitioner emphasized Gupta’s status as a middle-class businessman running a consultancy dealing with excavation and import-export.
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