In turnaround, Indian national Nikhil Gupta pleads guilty in Khalistani’s murder-for-hire case

TOI correspondent from Washington: In a dramatic courtroom reversal, Indian national Nikhil Gupta on Friday pleaded guilty to federal charges linked to a foiled plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani separatist leader and U.S. citizen. The 54-year-old Gupta, appearing before US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, admitted to three counts: murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.The plea marks a striking turnaround from Gupta’s previous stance. Since his extradition from the Czech Republic in June 2024, he had vehemently denied wrongdoing. Legal analysts suggest Gupta’s decision to plead guilty stems from the overwhelming evidence amassed by federal prosecutors. The trial, initially scheduled for March 30, was expected to feature wiretapped conversations and electronic communications directly linking him to the plot. In these recordings, Gupta allegedly negotiated a $100,000 fee with a supposed hitman—who, in reality, was an undercover U.S. federal agent.By entering a guilty plea, Gupta avoids a high-profile trial that could have resulted in a maximum sentence of 40 years. While sentencing is ultimately at the judge’s discretion, the U.S. government has recommended 21 to 24 years behind bars. Senior U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero is expected to schedule a formal sentencing hearing in the coming months.Central to the indictment is Vikash Yadav, a former official in India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). U.S. authorities allege Yadav recruited Gupta to coordinate the assassination. A federal arrest warrant for Yadav was issued in late 2024, but he remains in India. While New Delhi confirmed Yadav is no longer employed by the government, it has not indicated willingness to extradite him. An internal Indian inquiry acknowledged the official had “criminal links” but insisted the episode was a “rogue” operation, denying state-sponsored intent.Pannun serves as general counsel for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), an organization advocating for an independent Khalistan. In recent months, he has been a provocative figure, organizing Khalistan referendums in U.S. cities, releasing videos calling for boycotts of Air India, and offering rewards for anti-India activities. These activities have prompted India’s National Investigation Agency to file new terror-related charges against him.The case, the first in decades alleging a foreign government-backed assassination attempt on U.S. soil, has tested diplomatic ties. Both Washington and New Delhi have taken steps to preserve their strategic partnership, despite the gravity of the charges. U.S. officials expressed “satisfaction” with India’s internal high-level inquiry, and while cooperation on broader strategic objectives remains strong, the plea underscores the seriousness of the allegations, making it harder for New Delhi to dismiss them as mere “unsubstantiated claims,” as it has done in the case of Canada.