An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, accused of orchestrating a failed murder-for-hire plot against Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York has pleaded guilty in a Manhattan federal court. Pannun is wanted in India on terror charges, and the US officials have linked the case to New Delhi claiming -- without providing evidence -- that Gupta worked at the direction of an Indian government employee.
Gupta, 54, on Friday admitted to three criminal charges -- murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering -- before US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn.
The charges carry a combined maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. Gupta is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, by US District Judge Victor Marrero.
“Nikhil Gupta plotted to assassinate a US citizen in New York City. He thought that from outside this country he could kill someone in it without consequence, simply for exercising their American right to free speech. But he was wrong, and he will face justice," said US Attorney Jay Clayton after Gupta pleaded guilty.
He asserted, "Our message to all nefarious foreign actors should be clear: steer clear of the United States and our people".
US authorities alleged that Gupta acted at the direction of co-defendant Vikash Yadav, an individual working for the Indian government. Court documents state that in May 2023, Yadav enlisted Gupta to coordinate the plot. Gupta allegedly contacted an individual he believed to be a criminal associate to arrange the killing for USD 100,000. The individual was, in fact, a confidential source working with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
In June 2023, an associate of Gupta allegedly delivered USD 15,000 in cash to the undercover officer as an advance payment. The plot ultimately unravelled when US law enforcement intervened.
“At the direction and coordination of an Indian government employee, Nikhil Gupta plotted to assassinate a United States citizen on American soil, facilitating a foreign adversary’s unlawful effort to silence a vocal critic of the Indian government,” said top FBI official C Barnacle Jr said.
Another FBI official added that the arrest and trial of Gupta should serve as a message to nefarious criminal networks.
“The US citizen became a target of transnational repression solely for exercising their freedom of speech. The message from the FBI should be clear -- no matter where you are located if you try to harm our citizens we will not stop until you are brought to justice," he said.
Gupta has been in US custody since his extradition from the Czech Republic in June 2024. He was arrested there in 2023 and had initially pleaded not guilty following his extradition.
India has dissociated itself from any alleged plot, stating that such actions are contrary to government policy. Following the US allegations, the Indian government set up a high-level inquiry committee in November 2023 to examine the matter. The panel submitted its findings in January 2025, recommending legal action while noting that the individual involved had prior criminal antecedents, though it stopped short of naming the official.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun heads the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice, which has been designated as an unlawful association in India. He has been declared a terrorist by the Indian government under anti-terror laws in 2020 for allegedly promoting separatism and financing violence linked to the Khalistan movement. His properties in Punjab have since been confiscated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Pannun is known for releasing provocative videos, issuing provocative video statements and threats targeting India and Indian nationals, including warnings related to Air India flights, which incite "sleeper cells," allegedly offer rewards for anti-India graffiti, and encourage youth in Punjab to take up arms.
Born in Khankot village near Amritsar, Pannun is believed to hold a law degree from Panjab University.
