New York,Feb 14 : An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, pleaded guilty on Friday in a federal court in New York to participating in a failed plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US citizen and India designated terrorist, US authorities confirmed.
Gupta’s plea was entered before US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in the Southern District of New York, nearly two years after his arrest in Europe and subsequent extradition to the United States. He faces sentencing on May 29, 2026, and could receive up to 24 years in prison.
The case, investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, has drawn diplomatic attention, with prosecutors alleging the plot was coordinated under the direction of an Indian government employee, who has since left government service.
In court, Gupta admitted to all three counts in the Second Superseding Indictment, including murder for hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Each charge carries significant statutory penalties: up to 10 years for murder-for-hire and its conspiracy, and up to 20 years for money laundering.
According to court filings, Gupta was approached in May 2023 by an Indian government employee identified as CC-1, later named Vikash Yadav, reportedly associated with India’s Cabinet Secretariat and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Gupta then contacted a confidential source linked to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who introduced him to an undercover DEA officer posing as a contract killer.
Prosecutors allege that Gupta agreed to pay USD 100,000 for the assassination and delivered USD 15,000 as an advance in New York in June 2023. He provided the target’s address, phone numbers, and surveillance details, while instructing the undercover officer not to act during the Indian Prime Minister’s US visit that month.
The plot drew attention amid the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, Canada, in June 2023. Court documents indicate Gupta described Nijjar as “also a target” and referred to other potential targets.
The FBI confirmed the plot was foiled due to law enforcement intervention. FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky stated that the intended target faced threats solely for exercising free speech and emphasized that US authorities would pursue justice against anyone attempting to harm US citizens.
US Attorney Jay Clayton noted Gupta believed he could target a US citizen from abroad without consequences, but affirmed he will face justice.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the individual linked to the plot is no longer employed by the Indian government. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30, 2023, before being extradited to the United States for prosecution.