Enquiry committee submits report on US security concerns, recommends legal action against individual

New Delhi, Jan 15: The Government of India has concluded an internal inquiry into allegations linked to an alleged assassination plot in New York, following concerns raised by the United States.

A press release from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) detailed the steps taken and outcomes of the investigation.

The press release stated, “On receipt of information provided by US authorities regarding activities of some organised criminal groups, terrorist organisations, drug peddlers, etc who undermined the security interests of both India and the US, a high-powered Enquiry Committee was set up by the Govt of India in November 2023.”

The investigation was initiated after US federal prosecutors charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta in November 2023. Gupta was accused of collaborating with an Indian government employee in a plot to assassinate a separatist leader in New York.

Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic in June 2023 and extradited to the US on June 14. India denied the allegations but launched its own inquiry to address the concerns raised.

The Ministry of Home Affairs explained the probe’s scope and cooperation with US authorities, saying, “The Enquiry Committee conducted its own investigations, and also pursued leads provided by the US side. It received full cooperation from US authorities, and the two sides also exchanged visits. The Committee further examined a number of officials from different agencies and also scrutinised relevant documents in this connection.”

Indian investigators visited the US in October 2024 as part of their fact-finding efforts. After extensive deliberations, the committee submitted its report, which included both legal and procedural recommendations.

The Ministry said, “After a long enquiry, the Committee has submitted its report to the Government and recommended legal action against an individual, whose earlier criminal links and antecedents also came to notice during the enquiry. The Enquiry Committee has recommended that the legal action must be completed expeditiously.”

The findings also included suggestions for improving systems to prevent similar incidents in the future. The release added, “The Committee has further recommended functional improvements in systems and procedures as also initiation of steps that could strengthen India’s response capability, ensure systematic controls, and coordinated action in dealing with matters like this.”