Gupta pleads guilty in murder-for-hire plot against Pannun; FBI cites transnational repression
Gupta pleads guilty in murder-for-hire plot against Pannun; FBI cites transnational repression
Gupta pleads guilty to plotting to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun; FBI calls Pannun a target of transnational repression.
In Manhattan federal court, Nikhil Gupta, a 54-year-old Indian citizen living in the United States, pleaded guilty to orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot aimed at killing Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of Sikhs for Justice. Gupta admitted paying $15,000 to a person he believed would act as a hitman to carry out the assassination in mid-2023. He had been extradited from the Czech Republic in 2023 and had previously pleaded not guilty before changing his stance in court.
The FBI described Pannun as an American citizen and Khalistani separatist who is designated a terrorist by India, noting that he was targeted for transnational repression simply for exercising free speech. The agency posted on X that the murder-for-hire plot was thwarted by U.S. law enforcement, sending a clear message that authorities will pursue those who threaten U.S. citizens across borders.
The case underscores the reach of cross-border crime and the seriousness with which U.S. prosecutors handle attempted political violence. Pannun, based in New York, leads Sikhs for Justice, a group listed as a terrorist organization by India. The plea agreement with prosecutors from the Southern District of New York could yield a sentence of roughly 20-24 years in prison, significantly lower than a potential 40-year term if convicted at trial.
US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York confirmed Gupta's guilty plea, marking another example of international cooperation in extradition and counterterrorism efforts. The case highlights how transnational plots intersect with political activism and how the U.S. legal system handles crimes involving foreign-based schemes. The sentencing date has not been announced, but prosecutors have signaled a strong stance given the severity of the allegations.
Authorities have not indicated any direct involvement by a foreign government in orchestrating the plot. The court case continues to unfold as sentencing approaches, with officials stressing the commitment to protecting citizens and activists worldwide.
