Nikhil Gupta, an Indian nationwide accused of being concerned in a plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in america, has spoken out for the primary time since his detention in Prague final 12 months. In an interview with The Sunday Guardian, Gupta claimed that he’s harmless and has been framed in a politically motivated case. Gupta was arrested in Prague final 12 months by the FBI and later extradited to New York, is presently dealing with intense circumstances on the Metropolitan Detention Middle (MDC) Brooklyn.
Gupta alleged that the case in opposition to him is fabricated and meant to have an effect on the elections in India. He described the jail circumstances as a “slaughterhouse” and claimed that he has been subjected to torture and intimidation by officers. “I’m an harmless man who has been wrongly framed,” Gupta mentioned. “There is no such thing as a precise case in opposition to me. All of it’s fabricated and politically motivated. It was solely meant to have an effect on the elections in India.”
Whereas talking to The Sunday Guardian, he claimed that the US authorities are concentrating on him to use divisions throughout the Sikh group and affect political eventualities each within the US and India.
Gupta denied any involvement in unlawful actions and claimed that he has by no means met any Indian authorities officers or intelligence brokers. He additionally denied any legal instances filed in opposition to him in India or elsewhere.
“I’ve all the time been a businessman,” Gupta mentioned. “I’ve been concerned in varied small companies. I’ve labored in mining, silica sand, non-ferrous steel import, brass handicrafts, and marble export. I’ve by no means been concerned in any unlawful or illegal actions.”
Gupta claimed that he has been handled poorly by officers within the US and has not obtained any authorized help. He additionally alleged that he has been saved in solitary confinement and has been subjected to bodily and psychological torture.
“The remedy from the officers is such that they anticipate me to agree with no matter they are saying,” Gupta mentioned. “They’ve 100 methods to make anybody comply by way of pressure, intimidation, and soiled ways.”
Gupta’s household has not obtained any help from the Indian authorities, and he has been left to face the ordeal alone.
“I’m extra involved about my household than myself,” Gupta mentioned. “I’m frightened about how they’re managing over there. Our financial savings have been spent on the authorized charges that I needed to incur in Czech and the US. I’m nonetheless ready for a response on my request for a public defender to characterize me.”