Indian national Nikhil Gupta has formally pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to participating in a murder-for-hire conspiracy aimed at killing prominent Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who resides in New York City. Gupta, 54, admitted to charges including murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to court filings. The case stems from an indictment alleging Gupta worked under the direction of a co-conspirator believed to be an Indian government employee and attempted to orchestrate the assassination through payments to what he thought was a hired killer — who was actually an undercover U.S. law enforcement source.
U.S. authorities have emphasized the seriousness of the case, with prosecutors warning that targeting individuals on American soil will be met with robust legal action. Gupta faces a potential prison term that could extend up to four decades, with sentencing scheduled for later this spring. The high-profile guilty plea adds to international scrutiny over alleged plots against dissidents abroad, while both the U.S. justice system and Sikh advocacy groups monitor developments closely.
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