Indian national pleads not guilty in plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in New York City
By LARRY NEUMEISTER
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — An Indian national extradited to the United States has pleaded not guilty to charges arising from an alleged failed plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in New York. Nikhil Gupta was extradited to the U.S. on Friday and made an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court on Monday. In November, U.S. prosecutors announced that a plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun had been thwarted in June of last year. Authorities said Gupta was recruited by an unidentified Indian government employee to orchestrate the assassination. Gupta has denied involvement. His lawyer says facts may cast government allegations in an entirely new light.