US Congress members ask for accountability of India over murder plot of Khalistan leader

LONDON/WASHINGTON: Indian American members of the US Congress praised the Biden administration for the classified briefing on Indian intelligence agent Nikhil Gupta’s indictment and a foiled murder-for-hire plot against the US citizen and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Members including Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar emphasized their constitutional duty to protect citizens and urged a thorough investigation by the Government of India. They issued a statement after receiving a classified briefing from the Biden Administration on the indictment of Nikhil Gupta in connection with a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen in New York City.

They expressed concern over potential harm to the US-India partnership if not addressed appropriately.

The US Department of Justice charged last month Nikhil Gupta for attempting to murder the Sikh activist in New York City, hired by an unnamed Indian government employee, prompting diplomatic warnings and highlighting alleged Indian government involvement.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun welcomed the statement by US Congressmen. He said: “It is reassuring that the Indian American Members of US Congress are upholding their fundamental constitutional duty to protect the life, liberty and freedom of expression of the US Citizens at home and abroad.”

The US Congress members wrote: “As Members of Congress, the safety and well-being of our constituents are our top priorities. The allegations outlined in the indictment are deeply troubling. We appreciate the Government of India’s establishment of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the murder plot. It is crucial that India conducts a thorough investigation, holds those responsible, including Indian government officials, accountable, and assures that such incidents will not recur.

While we acknowledge the meaningful impact of the US-India partnership on both our nations, we express concern that the actions described in the indictment, if not addressed appropriately, could severely harm this significant partnership.”

This incident occurred shortly after the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia by two unidentified gunmen. Nijjar was a close aide of Pannun and leader of Khalistan Referendum campaign in Canada.

According to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Gupta was hired by an unnamed Indian government employee who coordinated an effort from his country to kill “an attorney and political activist who is a US citizen of lndian origin.” Like Nijjar, Pannun was involved with the Khalistan movement, a decades-old separatist effort to carve out historically Sikh-populated lands in North India and establish an autonomous state. After US officials thwarted the plot, a “diplomatic warning” was issued to India, and President Biden reportedly confronted Prime Minister Modi about it.

The DOJ had prepared a sealed indictment, initially planning to open it after Canada completed its probe into another related murder, resulting in a diplomatic spat between Canada and India.