Accused Nikhil Gupta pleads guilty in U.S. court over murder-for-hire plot against Sikh separatist Pannun

Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of participating in a murder-for-hire plot against a Sikh separatist in New York City, pleaded guilty to three charges on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan said.

Gupta, 54, pleaded guilty to murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to launder money, which carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, the spokesman said.

He entered his plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in Manhattan federal court.

Gupta’s lawyers were not immediately available for comment.

Gupta has been imprisoned in Brooklyn since his extradition to the United States in June 2024 from the Czech Republic, where he was arrested a year ago. He pleaded not guilty immediately after his extradition.

U.S. prosecutors accused Gupta of conspiring with an Indian government official to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S. resident and dual U.S.-Canadian citizen.

Nikhil Gupta, accused of murder in hired conspiracy against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, extradited to US

The Indian government stated that it was not involved in any conspiracy against Pannun, saying this was against government policy.

The discovery of assassination plots against Sikh separatists in the United States and Canada has tested relations with India, which also denies involvement in such plots.