New York — An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, has pleaded guilty in a US federal court to charges related to a foiled murder-for-hire plot targeting Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York City, the US Justice Department announced on February 13, 2026.
Gupta, 54, admitted to murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the scheme, which prosecutors say was directed by an Indian government employee identified as Vikash Yadav, a former officer of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Yadav remains at large.
Indian man pleads guilty to arranging assassination of Sikh separatist activist
Federal prosecutors claim the Indian government hired Nikhil Gupta to orchestrate the killing of a New York City-based activist calling for the secession of Punjab, a state in northern India home to… pic.twitter.com/gjZgIqQP3b
— Sikh Federation (UK) (@SikhFedUK) February 13, 2026
Key Highlights
- Nikhil Gupta pleads guilty in US court to murder-for-hire plot.
- Target: Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York.
- Plot directed by Indian govt employee Vikash Yadav (at large).
- $100,000 agreed payment; $15,000 advance transferred.
- Gupta arrested in Czech Republic (June 2023), extradited to US.
- Case highlights transnational repression concerns.
- Sentencing scheduled for May 29, 2026.
The plea was entered in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Gupta is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, 2026.
According to the Justice Department, in May 2023 Yadav recruited Gupta to arrange Pannun’s assassination. Pannun, a 56-year-old dual US-Canadian citizen and lawyer advocating for an independent Sikh state (Khalistan), was the target. Gupta contacted an individual he believed was a criminal associate — who was actually cooperating with US law enforcement — and was introduced to an undercover officer posing as a hitman.
The conspirators agreed on a $100,000 payment, with about $15,000 transferred in advance. The plot was disrupted before any attack could occur.US Attorney Jay Clayton stated that Gupta believed he could target someone in the United States “simply for exercising their American right to free speech,” but would now face justice. An FBI official described the case as an example of “transnational repression.”
The case adds to tensions between India and Western governments over alleged threats against Sikh separatists abroad. Canada has separately accused India of involvement in the 2023 killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a temple in British Columbia — allegations New Delhi has denied.
Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic in June 2023 and extradited to the United States. The plea marks a significant development in the high-profile case, which has drawn international attention to issues of extraterritorial operations and diaspora security.US authorities continue to seek Yadav’s arrest, while the investigation into broader implications remains ongoing. The Justice Department has not released further details on potential additional suspects or links.
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