Gupta's Guilty Plea
Nikhil Gupta, a 54-year-old Indian national identified as an international narcotics and weapons trafficker, has formally entered a guilty plea in a Manhattan
federal court. He admitted to three serious charges: murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. These charges stem from his alleged participation in a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen known for his advocacy of Sikh separatism and who resides in New York. Gupta's admission marks a significant development in a case that has drawn international attention, highlighting complex geopolitical tensions. He now faces sentencing, with potential consequences reaching up to 40 years in prison, though the final determination will be made by the presiding US District Judge based on various factors.
The Foiled Assassination Plot
The alleged conspiracy against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun began to unfold around May 2023, according to documents presented by US prosecutors. Gupta was reportedly approached by Vikash Yadav, who is described as a co-accused and an employee within India’s Cabinet Secretariat, an entity overseeing the nation's external intelligence apparatus, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Gupta was purportedly tasked with orchestrating the assassination of Pannun on American soil. To achieve this, Gupta sought out an individual he believed to be a criminal contact to arrange a contract killing. Unbeknownst to Gupta, this contact was actually a confidential informant for the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This informant then facilitated Gupta's communication with an undercover DEA officer who posed as a hired assassin.
Details of the Arrangement
The illicit agreement between Nikhil Gupta and the undercover officer, acting as the hitman, was for the sum of $100,000 to carry out the assassination of Pannun. A substantial upfront payment of $15,000 was made as a cash advance to seal the deal. Following this arrangement, Vikash Yadav, the alleged Indian government employee, provided Gupta with critical personal details of the target. These included Pannun's home address in New York City, his phone numbers, and information pertaining to his daily routine. Subsequently, in June, the individual referred to as CC-1, purportedly a senior field officer in Indian intelligence, also furnished Gupta with Pannun’s personal and lifestyle information. Gupta then relayed this intelligence to the undercover officer, and CC-1 reportedly instructed Gupta to maintain regular updates on the progress of the assassination operation, even suggesting urgency in light of another killing.
Arrest and Extradition
Nikhil Gupta's alleged involvement in the assassination plot came to light when he was apprehended by Czech authorities in June 2023. This arrest was executed at the specific request of the United States government, signaling the seriousness with which US authorities viewed the allegations. Following his detention in the Czech Republic, Gupta underwent an extradition process, ultimately being brought to the United States to face the charges. Since his arrival, he has been held in Brooklyn. Initially, upon facing the charges, Gupta maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all counts. However, this stance changed as he later appeared before Federal Judge Sarah Netburn in Manhattan to enter his guilty plea for the murder-for-hire related offenses and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
