Nikhil Gupta is a 52-year-old Indian national who has been charged by the United States with conspiracy to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist leader who resides in New York City. Gupta is alleged to have worked with an Indian government official to plan the assassination of Pannun.
According to an indictment filed in a Manhattan court, Gupta and the Indian government official began plotting to kill Pannun in early 2022. They discussed various methods of carrying out the assassination, including hiring a hitman or using a car bomb. Gupta is also alleged to have traveled to the United States to conduct surveillance on Pannun.
Gupta was arrested by Czech authorities on June 30, 2023, under a bilateral extradition treaty with the United States. He was extradited to the United States in November 2023 and is currently being held in federal custody.
Gupta faces two counts of murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire conspiracy. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The charges against Gupta have strained relations between the United States and India. India has denied any involvement in the plot to kill Pannun and has called the charges “baseless.”
The case against Gupta is still ongoing. A trial date has not yet been set.
