“Matter Of Concern”: Official On Indian Citizen Indicted By US In ‘Assassination Plot’
Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, reacting to the indictment of Indian national in US in connection with an ‘assassination plot’ of a Khalistani separatist leader, conveyed India”s profound apprehension on Thursday. According to a statement released by US attorney’s office yesterday a case has been filed in a US court that associates an individual, Nikhil Gupta, with an Indian official. Responding to the indictment, Bagchi expressed that this development contradicts government policy and is deemed a “matter of concern.”
“We cannot share any further information on such security matters. As regards the case against an individual that has been filed in a US court allegedly linking him to an Indian official, this is a matter of concern. We have said and let me reiterate that this is contrary to government policy,” Bagchi said.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan alleged that Nikhil Gupta worked with the Indian government employee on the plot to assassinate a Sikh separationist, who was residing in the New York city.
But the authorities didn’t name the Indian official name nor the target, but revealed that the accused is a US citizen of Indian origin. The target has been identified as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of Sikhs for Justice, a pro-Khalishtan group campaigning for an independent Sikh state.
US Attorney Damian Williams stated that, as alleged, the defendant had conspired from India to assassinate a US citizen of Indian origin in New York City. The targeted individual had publicly advocated for the establishment of a sovereign state for Sikhs, an ethnoreligious minority group in India. Williams expressed gratitude that his office and law enforcement partners had neutralized the alleged threat, emphasizing a commitment to not tolerate efforts to assassinate US citizens on US soil. He asserted readiness to investigate, thwart, and prosecute anyone seeking to harm and silence Americans, whether domestically or abroad.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen stated that the dedicated law enforcement agents and prosecutors in the case had foiled and exposed a dangerous plot to assassinate a US citizen on US soil. He emphasized that the Department of Justice would be relentless in using the full reach of their authorities to pursue accountability for lethal plotting emanating from overseas.
