An Indian national has admitted to participating in a scheme to hire a hitman to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Sikh separatist leader residing in New York, according to federal prosecutors in the United States. Nikhil Gupta, 54, entered a guilty plea in court, accepting responsibility for his efforts to contact a hitman to eliminate Pannun, who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Canada.

Pannun is affiliated with the New York-based group Sikhs for Justice, which advocates for the secession of Punjab, India, a region known for its significant Sikh population and cultural heritage. In court proceedings, Gupta detailed how he orchestrated the transfer of ,000 online while in India in 2023, believing he was hiring someone to carry out the assassination. However, the individual Gupta contacted was actually a confidential source collaborating with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky has commented that Pannun has been targeted in an act of transnational repression solely for exercising his freedom of speech. Gupta was detained at Prague Airport in June 2023 and subsequently extradited to the U.S., where he pleaded guilty to charges of murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Gupta faces a potential prison term ranging from 20 to 24 years, with a plea agreement stipulating a minimum of two decades in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for May 29.

Authorities from the United States and Canada have indicated that this plot is part of a broader campaign aimed at targeting Indian dissidents abroad, which has led to increased tensions between Washington, Ottawa, and New Delhi. Gupta allegedly collaborated with an Indian government employee, Vikash Yadav, who remains at large, and who prosecutors claim directed the assassination plot.

Indian officials have denied any involvement in the incident, asserting that such actions would run counter to government policy. This case has garnered significant attention from Sikh activists in both the United States and Canada, with many expressing their solidarity with Pannun. Following the court hearing, several Sikh supporters gathered to hold a prayer service and exhibited yellow “Khalistan” flags, symbolizing their aspiration for an independent Sikh state.

Pannun himself has publicly declared his intention to continue advocating for his cause, viewing his activism as essential for promoting a Punjab where all religions enjoy equal rights. He characterized Gupta as merely a “foot soldier” in a larger scheme, calling upon U.S. authorities to investigate those within India who he asserts authorized the assassination attempt. Reflecting on his mission for Khalistan, Pannun stated that he is prepared to face any threats to his life in the pursuit of this goal, emphasizing his commitment to justice and human rights.

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