Indian Nikhil Gupta Arrested in Pannun Murder Case

Nikhil Gupta has pleaded guilty in a US federal court in Manhattan in connection with the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist and Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. According to a statement issued by the US Attorney’s Office, Gupta appeared before US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn and admitted to three charges, including conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, planning the assassination, and money laundering conspiracy. He could face a prison sentence of over 40 years, with sentencing scheduled for May 29.

US authorities had earlier stated that the assassination plot on American soil was foiled and alleged Gupta’s involvement in the conspiracy. The US Attorney’s Office had claimed that Gupta acted under instructions from an Indian government official. He was arrested by authorities in the Czech Republic and later extradited to the United States following diplomatic proceedings. The Indian government has strongly denied the allegations against its official and constituted a high-level committee to examine the matter. India has not yet responded to the latest developments.