US Judge Denies Defence Materials Request for Nikhil Gupta in Murder-for-Hire Plot Case

United States District Judge Victor Marrero has rejected a plea for defense materials in the case of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national charged by federal prosecutors in a murder-for-hire plot targeting a Khalistani separatist on American soil.

Gupta, aged 52, faces charges in an indictment unsealed in November of the previous year, which alleges his involvement in a foiled plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Pannun, a dual citizen of the US and Canada, was the intended target.

The arrest of Gupta took place in Prague, Czech Republic, on June 30, 2023. Currently detained in Prague, the US government is actively seeking Gupta’s extradition to America.

In the recent order, Judge Marrero stated that the court aligns with the government’s argument, asserting that Gupta has no entitlement to discovery at this juncture in the legal proceedings.