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A man is set to appear in a New York court on Monday for allegedly plotting to assassinate a prominent Sikh separatist leader on US soil. Nikhil Gupta was extradited from the Czech Republic over the weekend after being arrested there last year. It's a pretty complex case involving international intrigue and diplomatic tensions.

US authorities claim Gupta tried to hire a hitman to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen who leads Sikhs for Justice, a group pushing for Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland. They say Gupta was acting on orders from an unnamed Indian government official, but India denies any involvement.

After the Czech Constitutional Court rejected Gupta's appeal against extradition, he's now facing federal charges of murder-for-hire, which could land him up to 20 years in prison. He's currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. We've reached out to Gupta's lawyers for comment, but haven't heard back yet.

The Czech Justice Minister confirmed Gupta's extradition on June 14th, following the court's decision. In November, US prosecutors claimed Gupta was part of a conspiracy to kill several Sikh separatists in North America, with Pannun as the main target. Allegedly, Gupta even handed over $100,000 in cash to an undercover federal agent posing as a hitman.

Pannun, now living in New York, is controversial for his role with Sikhs for Justice, which advocates for Khalistan. The movement seeks a separate Sikh homeland within India, which has stirred up tensions and historical issues.

This case also has broader international implications. Remember the fallout between India and Canada after Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Pannun's associate, was killed in Canada? Canadian PM Justin Trudeau pointed fingers at India, causing a big diplomatic rift that India denied, saying they had nothing to do with it.

The White House also got involved, reportedly discussing the alleged plot against Pannun with India at high levels. India stuck to their guns, saying such actions go against their policies and promising a thorough investigation into Gupta's case.

Back in January, India's Supreme Court turned down Gupta's plea for help, saying it's up to the government to handle this stuff, not the courts. It's a tangled mess of legal, diplomatic, and geopolitical issues.

So, as Gupta gears up for his court date in New York, the world's keeping an eye on what happens next and how it could affect relationships and justice across borders.