Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : MEA Spokesperson Expresses Concern Over US Court Case Linking Indian Official to Murder Plot
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, has expressed concern over a case filed in a US court that allegedly links an individual to an Indian official. Bagchi stated that this case is contrary to government policy and is a matter of concern. He emphasized the seriousness of the nexus between organized crime, trafficking, gunrunning, and extremists at an international level. To address this issue, a high-level inquiry committee has been constituted.
On November 29, United States authorities charged an Indian government-hired official, identified as Gupta, with murder-for-hire charges for attempting to kill Khalistani separatist and leader of the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) outfit, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on American soil. Gupta, who was arrested in the Czech Republic in June, is considered a key figure in the assassination plot. He faces charges related to the conspiracy to murder a US citizen of Indian origin.
According to the US Justice Department, Gupta is an associate of CC-1 and has been involved in international narcotics and weapons trafficking. CC-1, who allegedly directed the assassination plot from India, recruited Gupta in May 2023. However, the individual Gupta believed to be a criminal associate, who introduced him to a purported hitman, was actually a confidential source working with the DEA.
Regarding Canada, Bagchi criticized the country for consistently giving space to anti-India extremists. He called upon the Government of Canada to fulfill its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and expressed concerns about interference by Canadian diplomats in India’s internal affairs.
In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged India to collaborate in the inquiry into the killing of a Khalistani terrorist in British Columbia. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly also called for increased cooperation from India in the ongoing murder investigation.
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