Nikhil Gupta Has Not Sought Consular Access, In Touch With Family Says India

Photo: @policiecz

NEW DELHI, (IANS) – India on June 21 said that it has so far not received any request for providing Consular access to Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused by the US authorities of having involvement in a murder-for-hire plot against a Khalistani.

Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic and produced in a New York federal court earlier this week.

“But Nikhil Gupta family has got in touch with us and we are in touch with the family members. We are looking at the matter as to what can be done on the request,” said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Appearing before Magistrate Judge James Cott on June 17, Gupta pleaded “not guilty” through his lawyer.

Assistant Federal Prosecutor Ashley Nichols told the court that Gupta is charged in the murder-for-hire plot.

The court ordered his custody until the next hearing date on June 28, when a case conference is scheduled.