Nikhil Gupta Pleads Guilty In US Court To Orchestrating Failed Assassination Plot Against Khalistani Terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

New York: Nikhil Gupta, accused in the foiled assassination plot of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has pleaded guilty in a New York court. The 54-year-old Indian national pleaded guilty to three criminal charges of murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, 2026.

According to US prosecutors, Nikhli Gupta agreed to arrange the killing of Pannun and had attempted to hire a hitman for $100,000 in New York. The individual he believed to be a contract killer was, in fact, an undercover federal agent. The alleged plan was intercepted before any attack could be carried out. It is alleged that a former Indian intelligence officer named Vikash Yadav had recruited Gupta to kill Pannun. US prosecutors accused Pannun of plotting with the Indian government to kill Pannun.

Who Is Nikhil Gupta With Alleged International Narcotics And Weapons Trafficking Links?

The 54-year-old, Nikhil Gupta, having Indian citizenship, drew global spotlight after the US administration accused him of being involved in the alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting US-Canadian citizen and Sikh terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. According to the US federal agencies, Nikhil, who is also an accused in conspiracy to commit money laundering, is also allegedly an international narcotics and weapons trafficker.

According to reports, Nikhil was arrested in 2023 in the Czech Republic and was extradited to the United States in June 2024 to face trial and has since been lodged in Brooklyn jail.

As per the US prosecutors, Nikhil’s criminal history includes international narcotics and weapons trafficking links. The US officials alleged that he hired an undercover federal agent, posing as a hitman, to kill Pannun for $100,000. Nikhil Gupta also allegedly handed over $15,000 as an advance in June 2023. The plot was foiled when the agent revealed his true identity.

Nikhil’s defence team claimed he is being unfairly prosecuted, stating there's "nothing on record to link the Petitioner to the massive alleged plot to assassinate the alleged victim". However, the US prosecutors alleged Nikhil worked with an alleged Indian official to coordinate the plot. 

About Gurpatwant Singh Pannun And His Continuous Threats

American-Canadian lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a Khalistani terrorist who leads the US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group. He is a radical proponent of the Khalistan movement. India has designated him a terrorist and banned his SFJ group in India, declaring it an unlawful group. The government cited that Sikhs for Justice has been indulging in activities which are prejudicial to the internal security of India and public order, and have the potential of disrupting peace, the unity and integrity of the country.

Pannun has issued threats to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. He is involved in multiple criminal cases in India. The Sikh terrorist has released hundreds of videos censuring India and offering monetary rewards to people who write anti-India graffiti or hoist Khalistan flags on government buildings, or desecrate the Indian flag. He has also claimed responsibility for posters that read ‘kill India’ along with the names and pictures of the Indian diplomats. 

In September 2023, a video surfaced in which Pannun warned Indo-Canadian Hindus to leave Canada. The video elicited condemnation from several Canadian politicians, including the Federal party leaders, Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh. Further, in November 2023, Pannun warned of danger (bomb threat) to passengers planning to travel by Air India on November 19, the day which saw the 2023 Cricket World Cup final. 

Pannun had announced a reward of $2,50,000 for murdering Lieutenant General Kuldip Singh Brar, Major General Keshav Padha, Brigadier lsrar Khan and Colonel Jasbir Rana over Operation Blue Star. In 2023, Pannun, through a video message, admitted that on his instructions, Pro-Khalistani slogans, “84 Indira Thoki, 86 Vaidya Thokea, 2024 KS Brar Thoko, $1 Million- SFJ Khalistan Zindabad" were inscribed by SFJ activists in the native village of Lieutenant General Brar. He also announced a reward of $1 million for sharing information on Brar's whereabouts.

India's Strong Stance 

The central government has also strongly denied any involvement in the alleged assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The government has dissociated itself from the plot, saying it was against government policy. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri refuted the allegations, saying, "These are completely unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations." The central government clearly asserted that the 

A high-level committee constituted by the Government of India recommended legal action against the official, reportedly Vikash Yadav, citing "earlier criminal links and antecedents". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA), in a firm rebuttal, stated that the Indian government is committed to upholding the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. The government reiterated that India takes such serious allegations very seriously and expects similar respect for its own sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The government has consistently positioned itself for non-involvement in any activities that could be perceived as threatening the lives of individuals, regardless of their affiliations or locations. Amidst ongoing scrutiny, India urged a thorough examination of the facts and evidence, avoiding unverified claims.