NEW YORK, February 14: A 54-year-old Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, has pleaded guilty in US federal court to plotting a $100,000 murder-for-hire scheme against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based Khalistani separatist leader.
Gupta admitted to murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and money laundering conspiracy before Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. Sentencing is scheduled for May 29, 2026, before Judge Victor Marrero, with a potential maximum of 40 years imprisonment.
US prosecutors disclosed Gupta’s collaboration with co-defendant Vikash Yadav, an alleged Indian government employee in the Cabinet Secretariat’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Yadav recruited Gupta in May 2023 to assassinate Pannun in New York.
Gupta approached a supposed hitman—who was actually a DEA undercover officer connected via a confidential source. Yadav greenlit a $100,000 payment, including a $15,000 advance. Gupta provided Pannun’s address, daily routines, and surveillance images, postponing the hit during Prime Minister Modi’s June 2023 US visit.
After Hardeep Singh Nijjar—Pannun’s associate—was killed in Canada on June 18, Gupta pushed urgency: “Nijjar was also the target… now no need to wait.” Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30, 2023, and later extradited.
US Attorney Jay Clayton stated: “Gupta thought he could kill a US citizen for free speech without consequence. Wrong.”
FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky affirmed: “No matter where you are, if you harm our citizens, we won’t stop.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Terrance Cole highlighted: Case shows traffickers’ slide to violence; praised NY task force.
FBI Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle emphasized: Defends against foreign silencing of critics.
The case is handled by the Southern District of New York, FBI, and DEA; Gupta remains in custody.
