Nikhil Gupta, accused by U.S. federal prosecutors of plotting with an Indian authorities official to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, seems in federal courtroom in New York Metropolis on this courtroom sketch. File
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
Indian nationwide Nikhil Gupta, accused of being concerned in a murder-for-hire plot towards a Sikh separatist in New York Metropolis, pleaded responsible on Friday (February 13, 2026) to three legal fees, a spokesperson for the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace in Manhattan mentioned.
Gupta, 54, pleaded responsible to murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit cash laundering, which carry a most mixed sentence of 40 years in jail, the spokesperson mentioned.
He entered his plea earlier than U.S. Justice of the Peace Decide Sarah Netburn in Manhattan federal courtroom.
Attorneys for Gupta weren’t instantly obtainable for remark.
Gupta has been jailed in Brooklyn since his June 2024 extradition to the United States from the Czech Republic, the place he had been arrested a 12 months earlier. He had pleaded not responsible instantly after his extradition.
U.S. prosecutors accused Gupta of plotting with an Indian authorities official to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S. resident and twin U.S.-Canadian citizen.
Nikhil Gupta, accused of homicide for rent plot towards Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, extradited to U.S.
India’s authorities has dissociated itself from any plot towards Pannun, saying it was towards authorities coverage.
The discovery of alleged assassination plots towards Sikh separatists in the US and Canada has examined relations with India, which has additionally denied involvement in such plots.
Revealed – February 13, 2026 10:17 pm IST