by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Oct 18 – Back in late 2023 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, a superseding indictment was unsealed alleging murder-for-hire charges against Indian national Nikhil Gupta, aka Nick, 52, in connection with his participation in a foiled plot to assassinate a U.S. citizen in New York City - reportedly Sikh Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
Czech authorities arrested and detained Gupta in Prague’s Pankrac prison.
On June 17, 2024, Gupta was presented in the SDNY Magistrates Court. While Inner City Press is often the only media there - for only one example, in a gun case on June 14, continued into June 17 - this time the gallery was full, including with Indian journalists. With some new and we hope temporary restrictions, Inner City Press thread:
AUSA: Mr Gupta was extradited in. We will make voluntary consular notification.
Judge: You are charged with murder for hire. Retained defense counsel: He pleads not guilty.
AUSA: We seek detention. Defense: We consent; we'll confer before Judge Marrero next week. My client is a vegetarian.
Magistrate Judge James L. Cott: There are others in the MDC [Metropolitan Detention Center] who are vegetarians, it shouldn't be a problem.
On June 28, with Khalistan protesters out on Worth Street, Gupta was produced by US Marshals before Judge Victor Marrero. Inner City Press was there - thread:
AUSA: The defendant on behalf of an Indian gov't employee sought a hitman... We have video.
AUSA: We ask for 60 days. Defense lawyer: Aug 30? Judge: Sept 13, 1 pm
But late on September 12, the US Attorney's Office wrote in: "The parties write in light of the rescheduling of the status conference scheduled for September 13, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. in the above referenced case." No notice to those interested in the case? Letter on Patreon here
On September 13, the morning of the 1 pm hearing, the letter motion was granted: "ORDER as to Nikhil Gupta: The status conference scheduled currently scheduled for September 13, 2024, is hereby adjourned to October 18, 2024."
On October 17, the US unsealed a second superseding indictment naming a government official, at large, as co-defendant: "the filing of murder-for-hire and money laundering charges against Indian government employee VIKASH YADAV, a/k/a “Vikas,” a/k/a “Amanat,” in connection with his role in directing a foiled plot to assassinate a U.S. citizen in New York City. YADAV is at large."
On October 18, Inner City Press live tweeted - and later asked Sikhs demonstrating on Worth Street why Modi security official Ajit Doval did not come to the US for the UN General Assembly... Thread:
Judge: The superseding indictment has counts of murder for hire and money laundering. How do you plead?
Gupta: I am not carrying my glasses, I have not read it, I need time.Judge: We will pause, then- Defense lawyer: Just a second... He is clear, I read it to me. Gupta: I plead not guilty
Judge: We're not there yet. Gupta: My English is not good. Judge: Now, how do you plead?
Gupta: Not guilty... My lord, I have an oral submission...
Judge: Let me ask the US about discovery. AUSA: Nearly complete. Judge: By when? AUSA: Next week
Defense lawyer: In MDC, Mr. Gupta needs access to the law library to listen to the recordings. Also, his notes in the Czech Republic, they are privileged. We got more last night. Also, Mr. Gupta wants his prayer book
AUSA: When he was extradited, there were personal items: the novel The Optimist, the notes have been scanned. Also notebooks and loose notes. The defense has not provided a orivilege log
AUSA: We have not found a prayer book. [A man in a National Sikh Day Parade jacket comes into courtroom gallery] Defense lawyer: Mr. Gupta has religious rights. AUSA: Come and inspect the items
Defense lawyer: Mr. Gupta informs me he wants a new counsel, perhaps one who speaks Hindi. Judge: Let's get a court date first... January 17 at noon. Defense lawyer: My client has a letter to submit to the court. Judge: Only through you
Defense lawyer: I will file on the docket. Adjourned.
The case is US v. Gupta, et al., 23-cr-289 (Marrero)
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