On Thursday, the Supreme Court dismissed a request for consular access filed by a relative of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian citizen accused of conspiring to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on U.S. soil.

Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta stated that while Gupta is entitled to consular access under the Vienna Convention, he has already been granted such access. The bench emphasized the need to respect the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the foreign court, preventing them from delving into the merits of the case.

Despite the claim that Gupta was placed in solitary confinement without consular access after indictment, the court highlighted that he received consular access on September 17, 2023. Gupta has also taken the matter to the Delhi High Court, where certain orders have been issued. It's worth noting that on November 29 of the previous year, Gupta faced charges by U.S. federal prosecutors for his alleged involvement in a thwarted plot to assassinate Pannun on American soil.