Accused faces potential forty-year sentence after changing initial plea
Indian national Nikhil Gupta has formally admitted guilt in a United States court regarding the alleged 2023 plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. This major development comes after months of legal proceedings following his extradition to New York.
Reports confirm that Gupta appeared before US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in a Manhattan federal court on Friday. He pleaded guilty to three serious criminal charges: murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. These charges carry a significant maximum combined sentence of 40 years in prison.
Gupta, 54, has been in custody since his arrest in the Czech Republic in June 2023. He was subsequently extradited to the US in June 2024 and has been detained in a Brooklyn facility. Initially, Gupta had pleaded not guilty to the accusations. Prosecutors alleged that he worked with an individual, identified previously as an Indian government official, to recruit a hitman to kill Pannun, who is a dual US-Canadian citizen living in New York.
The case has been a point of diplomatic friction. Since the allegations first surfaced, New Delhi has consistently dissociated itself from any such plot. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the accusations as "unwarranted and unsubstantiated," stating that such actions are contrary to government policy. In response to US security concerns, India established a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the matter. By October 2024, the MEA confirmed that the official named in the US indictment was no longer employed by the Indian government.
Prior to this guilty plea, Gupta’s legal team had vigorously fought the charges. Through his attorney, he argued he was "unfairly charged" and claimed there was no direct record linking him to the assassination plot. His defense also filed motions alleging his rights were violated during his initial arrest in Prague, claiming he was not informed of his right to remain silent or consult an attorney. Despite these earlier legal challenges, this guilty plea marks a decisive conclusion to the speculation surrounding his involvement in the conspiracy.
Image Source: The Japan Times - representative image
