The Supreme Court postponed the hearing of Nikhil Gupta’s habeas corpus petition on Friday. Gupta is accused by the US of plotting to kill India-designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The petition was filed in opposition to his arrest and the ongoing extradition process in the Czech Republic. The hearing is scheduled for January 4, 2024. Judges Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti noted that Gupta must file a relief request with the relevant court, which is located in the Czech Republic. In accordance with the plea, Nikhil Gupta is being held in custody in the Czech Republic while he awaits extradition to the United States in relation to the case there for his alleged involvement in a thwarted attempt to kill Pannun.
Go over there. We are not going to have an adjudication over here. The person detained has not given the affidavit. If there is a violation of any law, etc., you have to go to court over there,” Justice Khanna said.
Senior Advocate CA Sundaram, appearing for the petitioner, said that he is only pressing for relief for adequate consular assistance as he is an Indian citizen.
Justice Khanna said, “This is an extremely sensitive matter for the Ministry of External Affairs. It’s for them to decide.”
When the bench inquired about who filed the plea, Sundaram said that the plea had been filed by a family member of Nikhil Gupta. Justice Khanna said that the bench hadn’t had the time to read the case file as it was received late and adjourned the hearing.
