It said on Friday that it has received no formal request as yet for consular access to Nikhil Gupta, a citizen who was arrested in the Czech Republic at the request of the US authorities over allegations pertaining to a murder-for-hire scheme against a Khalistani leader. Gupta was subsequently produced before a New York federal court earlier this week.
We have so far not received any request for Consular access for Mr. Gupta. His family has got in touch with us and we are in touch with the family members. We look at the matter as to what can be done on the request," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
At an appearance in front of Magistrate Judge James Cott this morning, Gupta, represented by his attorney, pleaded "not guilty." Assistant Federal Prosecutor Ashley Nichols informed the court of the charges against Gupta alleging he masterminded a murder-for-hire conspiracy.
Judge Cott remanded Gupta until the next appearance on the case, which is on June 28 for a conference in the case.
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