Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Murder Plot Case: Nikhil Gupta Pleads Guilty in US Court

Accused Nikhil Gupta on Friday pleaded guilty in a US court in connection with a foiled murder plot targeting Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Gupta, who had earlier pleaded not guilty in June 2024, admitted to charges including murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Reuters reported.

Gupta, 54, was arrested in the Czech Republic in June 2023 and later extradited to the United States. Prosecutors alleged he was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen and US resident.

US authorities claimed Gupta coordinated the plot with an Indian government official. However, India has denied any involvement, stating that such actions are contrary to government policy.

The case has drawn international attention and previously contributed to diplomatic tensions involving the United States and Canada. Prosecutors also linked the broader investigation to allegations concerning threats against Sikh separatist figures abroad, including the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June 2023.

Gupta has been held without bail since his extradition and faces a potential sentence of several decades in prison. Vikash Yadav, identified by US authorities as a co-conspirator, remains in India.