Watch: EAM S Jaishankar speaks on India giving consular access to Nikhil Gupta, presently in Czech custody
Nikhil Gupta needed consular access, so the Indian embassy provided that, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar has confirmed. “He has been provided consular access thrice," he added while speaking on the Indian national in the custody of Czech authorities. EAM spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said earlier that India had received consular access on three occasions to Gupta.
He said necessary consular assistance was being extended to him. "An Indian national is currently in the custody of the Czech authorities pending a request for extradition to the US. We have received consular access at least on three occasions," PTI quoted Bagchi as saying.
"We are extending necessary consular assistance as per requirement." The case falls under Czech jurisdiction, clarified Vladimir Repka, spokesperson for the Czech justice ministry. Repka's statement came after Gupta's family sought intervention from the Indian Supreme Court. The US has formally requested the Czech government for Gupta's extradition.
India has formed a committee to investigate the allegations against Gupta. A family member appealed to the Supreme Court last week, urging the Indian government to ensure a fair trial and intervene in the extradition process. Gupta, 52, has been in Prague's custody for approximately six months.
The US federal prosecutors allege his involvement in a plot against US-based Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who has US and Canadian citizenship. Responding to allegations of inadequate legal representation in the Czech Republic, Repka stated that defendants in extradition cases were always represented. Gupta chose his defence counsel for the extradition proceedings.
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