Indian Arms Dealer Nikhil Gupta Pleads Guilty to Plotting US Assassination of Khalistani Leader

An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, has pleaded guilty in a US court to charges linked to a murder-for-hire plot targeting Khalistani separatist figure Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The 54-year-old admitted to offences including conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and money laundering in a case announced by US authorities. Gupta is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29.

According to the US Department of Justice, Gupta was arrested in June 2023 in the Czech Republic and later extradited to the United States to face prosecution. Court proceedings were overseen by US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, with sentencing to be delivered by US District Judge Victor Marrero.

Investigators said Gupta described himself as an international dealer in narcotics and weapons. Prosecutors allege he worked with co-defendant Vikash Yadav, who was employed by India’s Cabinet Secretariat, which houses the country’s external intelligence agency. In May 2023, Yadav allegedly recruited Gupta to help arrange the assassination in the United States.

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Authorities said Gupta contacted an individual he believed to be a criminal associate, who was in fact a confidential source working with the US Drug Enforcement Administration. The source later introduced Gupta to a purported hitman — actually an undercover DEA officer. Through Gupta’s mediation, Yadav allegedly agreed to pay $100,000 for the killing and arranged an advance payment of $15,000 in cash.

Prosecutors further stated that Gupta passed along sensitive details about the intended target, including home address, phone numbers and daily movements, and continued updating Yadav on the plan. He also allegedly advised delaying the killing around the time of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s June 2023 US visit.

The case gained additional attention after the June 2023 killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. According to US authorities, Gupta later told the undercover officer that Nijjar had also been a target and suggested there was no longer a need to delay the New York plot. If sentenced to the maximum penalties on all counts, Gupta could face up to 40 years in prison.

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