Indian man admits plot to kill US-based Sikh separatist leader

February 14, 2026

A 54-year-old Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, has admitted guilt to charges including murder-for-hire and money laundering in a federal court for his role in an alleged plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader living in New York. US prosecutors claim Gupta was recruited and directed by an Indian government intelligence official to orchestrate the killing of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an American citizen advocating for an independent Sikh homeland called Khalistan. The scheme unraveled when Gupta unknowingly hired an undercover DEA agent posing as a hitman through a government informant.

Who is affected

Nikhil Gupta (the defendant facing up to 40 years in prison)
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (the intended assassination target and American citizen)
The Sikh separatist community and Khalistan movement supporters
Vikash Yadav (named Indian government employee from the Cabinet Secretariat, not arrested)
The Indian government (facing accusations and diplomatic consequences)
US-India diplomatic relations
Hardeep Singh Nijjar's associates (murdered Sikh separatist leader in Canada)

What action is being taken

Nikhil Gupta is facing justice after pleading guilty to three criminal charges
US prosecutors are pursuing the case against Gupta in federal court
US Attorney Jay Clayton is publicly condemning the plot and ensuring accountability

Why it matters

This case represents an alleged transnational assassination plot on American soil targeting a US citizen for exercising free speech rights, which constitutes a serious violation of sovereignty and human rights. The involvement of an alleged Indian government official raises grave concerns about state-sponsored violence against dissidents in foreign countries and threatens to significantly damage US-India relations. The case also highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Khalistan separatist movement and the safety of Sikh activists in the diaspora, particularly following similar allegations by Canada regarding another murdered Sikh leader.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC