In a Manhattan federal courtroom on February 13, 2026, the silence was broken by a single word that sent ripples from Washington D.C. to New Delhi: “Guilty.” Nikhil Gupta, the 54-year-old Indian national at the center of a geopolitical firestorm, has officially admitted to his role in a foiled murder-for-hire plot targeting Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. This admission closes a dark chapter of international espionage that has strained India-US relations for nearly three years.
The Verdict: What Did Nikhil Gupta Admit To?
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, Gupta pleaded guilty to three high-level criminal counts:
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Murder-for-Hire: Directly soliciting the assassination of a U.S. citizen.
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Conspiracy to Commit Murder-for-Hire: Working with others to plan the hit.
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Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering: Arranging the $100,000 payment for the assassination.
While the maximum statutory penalty for these charges is 40 years in federal prison, legal experts suggest that by pleading guilty and saving the court a high-profile trial, Gupta may receive an “acceptance of responsibility” credit. This could potentially lower his sentence to 15–20 years.
The Anatomy of a Failed Hit: How the Plot Unfolded
To understand why this case is a landmark in transnational crime, we must look back at the timeline established by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The Recruitment (May 2023)
According to the unsealed indictment, Gupta—described as an international narcotics and weapons trafficker—was recruited by a man named Vikash Yadav (referred to in earlier documents as CC-1). Yadav was an employee of the Indian government’s Cabinet Secretariat, which houses the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).
The deal was simple: Gupta would arrange the murder of Pannun in exchange for the dismissal of a criminal case against him in Gujarat, India.
The “Hitman” Blunder (June 2023)
Gupta reached out to a contact he believed could source a professional assassin. Unbeknownst to him, that contact was a Confidential Source (CS) working for the DEA. The “hitman” introduced to Gupta was actually an Undercover Federal Officer (UC).
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The Price Tag: $100,000 USD.
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The Advance: $15,000 in cash, delivered in a car in Manhattan.
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The Intel: Gupta provided the UC with Pannun’s home address, phone numbers, and a GPS-logged daily routine.
The “Nijjar Connection” and the Turning Point
The plot took a chilling turn on June 18, 2023, when another Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was gunned down in Surrey, Canada.
Court transcripts show that the very next day, Gupta told the undercover officer that Nijjar was “also a target” and that there was “now no need to wait” to kill Pannun. He urged the hitman to “finish the job” quickly. However, the U.S. authorities chose this moment to intervene, leading to Gupta’s arrest at Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport on June 30, 2023.
Why This Case Matters for India-US Relations
The Nikhil Gupta case is more than a criminal trial; it is a diplomatic landmine. For the first time in history, the U.S. has explicitly accused a sitting Indian government official (Yadav) of directing a lethal operation on American soil.
| Feature | Details |
| Indian Stance | Dissociated from the plot; formed a high-level probe panel in Nov 2023. |
| US Stance | “Unacceptable” violation of sovereignty; demands full accountability. |
| Current Status of Yadav | Charged by the DOJ but currently not in U.S. custody. |
The “Sovereign AI” and Tech Context
Ironically, this guilty plea comes as PM Modi inaugurates the AI Impact Summit. The contrast between India’s “Techade” (Technology Decade) and these “Deep State” allegations highlights the complex dual-path India is walking on the global stage.
What Happens Next? Sentencing and Beyond
Nikhil Gupta is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero on May 29, 2026.
Until then, he remains in custody at a Brooklyn detention center. The fallout in India is expected to be significant, as the guilty plea provides the U.S. government with “sworn testimony” that could be used to pressure New Delhi for further internal investigations into its intelligence framework.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
Who is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun?
He is a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen, a lawyer for “Sikhs for Justice,” and a designated terrorist in India. He leads a movement calling for a separate Sikh state called Khalistan.
Why did Nikhil Gupta plead guilty now?
After Judge Marrero denied a motion to suppress evidence in late 2025, Gupta likely realized the weight of the digital evidence—WhatsApp messages, recorded audio calls, and video of the cash transfer—made a trial unwinnable.
Will India extradite Vikash Yadav?
Currently, there is no formal extradition request for Yadav, and India has not acknowledged his location. This remains the biggest hurdle in closing the case.
