Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of orchestrating a failed murder-for-hire plot against Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York, pleaded guilty in a Manhattan federal court on Friday. Gupta, 54, admitted to charges of murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering before US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. These charges carry a combined maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for May 29 by US District Judge Victor Marrero.
US Attorney Jay Clayton highlighted that Gupta falsely assumed he could plan the assassination of a US citizen while being outside the US without facing repercussions, saying that foreign entities must “stay far away from the United States.” According to court filings and accusations made by US authorities, Gupta was ordered by Vikash Yadav, an Indian government employee, to plan the assassination in May 2023. Gupta allegedly contacted a criminal associate to arrange the murder for $100,000, not realising the individual was a confidential source for the Drug Enforcement Administration. In June 2023, an associate of Gupta delivered a $15,000 cash in advance to an undercover officer before US law enforcement intervened to stop the plot.
As pointed out by the top FBI official, C Barnacle Jr, “This case is a foreign adversary’s effort to silence a critic of the Indian government on American soil. Gupta has been in US custody since June 2024 after his extradition from the Czech Republic, where he was first arrested in 2023 and had pleaded not guilty.”
The Indian government has distanced itself from the plan, saying that such activities run contrary to its policies. After the allegations, India formed a high-level investigation committee in November 2023.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is the target of the conspiracy, is the leader of the proscribed group Sikhs for Justice and was declared a terrorist by the Indian government in 2020 for his advocacy of separatism and funding of violence. Pannun, who has been known for posting inflammatory videos, has had his properties in Punjab seized by the National Investigation Agency. Pannun hails from Amritsar and is thought to have a law degree from Panjab University.
Also read: NIA books Pannun for bounty offer to stop PM’s tricolour hoist
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