New Delhi: The Biden administration has briefed five Indian-American lawmakers on the indictment of Indian national Nikhil Gupta in the foiled assassination plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikhs for Justice, in the US.
Congress representatives Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thanedar received the classified briefing Friday on the murder-for-hire charges against Gupta, one of the prime accused in the case, and released a joint statement.
Calling the allegations against Gupta “deeply concerning”, the lawmakers in a joint statement said: “We welcome the Government of India’s announcement of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the murder plot and it is critical that India fully investigate, hold those responsible, including Indian government officials, accountable, and provide assurances that this will not happen again.”
“We believe the US-India partnership has made meaningful impact on the lives of both of our people, but we are concerned that the actions outlined in the indictment could, if not appropriately addressed, cause significant damage to this very consequential partnership,” they added.
Congressman Bera represents Sacramento in the House of Congress and is part of numerous committees, including the house committee on foreign affairs. Khanna represents California and has been vocal about his criticism of Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
Jayapal is the first Indian-American woman to serve in the US House of Representatives and is the first Asian-American woman to represent Washington at the federal level. Krishnamoorthy, an American businessman, represents Illinois while Shri Thanedar represents Michigan.
India had announced setting up of a “high-level” inquiry committee on 18 November to probe “all relevant aspects of the matter”.
The government will take necessary follow-up action based on the findings of the committee, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said at a press briefing.
The US Justice Department last month charged Gupta and an unnamed government official with murder-for-hire charges in connection with the alleged plot targeting Pannun, who is an American and Canadian citizen.
Founder of the banned US-based group Sikhs for Justice and designated a terrorist by India in 2020, Pannun has repeatedly called for a “referendum” for an independent Sikh state, Khalistan.
He has also threatened numerous Indian diplomats in Canada, including the Consul General of India in Vancouver, Manish, last month.
US prosecutors have claimed that Gupta, 52, who resides in India, conspired with others to carry out the assassination of Pannun on the directions of an Indian government employee in a “$100,000” deal. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on 30 June this year.
Commenting on the unsealed indictment, India had last month termed the issue a “matter of concern” and “contrary” to Indian government policy.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)