Explained: Why Gurpatwant Pannun’s case against Nikhil Gupta is important to US
Gupta has been sentenced in failed assassination plot against Pannun in New York
Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, pleaded guilty in a US federal court to charges related to a foiled assassination plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based Sikh separatist.
According to the FBI in New York, Gupta admitted guilt to all three counts in the second superseding indictment, including:
Murder-for-hire
Conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
The plea was entered before US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, and sentencing is scheduled before US District Judge Victor Marrero on May 29, 2026.
He faces a sentence of up to 24 years in prison.
FBI statement
FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky stated that Gupta was a key participant in a murder-for-hire plot targeting a US citizen. The alleged assassination attempt was prevented due to the intervention of US law enforcement authorities.
The FBI said that they were commitment to protect individuals in the US from foreign threats.
Background of the case
The United States Department of Justice had earlier alleged that an unidentified Indian government employee (referred to as “CC-1” in court documents) recruited Gupta to arrange the killing. US prosecutors claim the plot was disrupted before it could be carried out.
In October 2024, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the individual referenced in the US indictment was no longer employed by the Government of India.
Target
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, designated a terrorist by the Indian government, holds US and Canadian citizenship and is a Khalistani separatist.
Why this case is important
US officials say this case shows they would act against any foreign national who tries to harm people living in the country, especially if the target is being attacked for alleged political motives.
