Washington, February 14: Nikhil Gupta, a 54-year-old Indian national, has pleaded guilty in a federal court in Manhattan for his involvement in a conspiracy to murder a Sikh separatist leader in New York. In 2023, Gupta agreed to pay $15,000 for the assassination.
During his court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, Gupta accepted three charges: conspiracy to commit murder for hire, murder for hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Under oath, Gupta stated, “In the spring of 2023, I conspired with another individual to have someone killed in the United States.” He admitted to handing over $15,000 in cash to an individual present in the U.S., acknowledging that the target resided in the Queens area of New York, while the money was exchanged in Manhattan.
Judge Netburn recommended that District Judge Victor Marrero accept Gupta’s plea, which was subsequently approved by the court. Sentencing is scheduled for May 29, 2026.
Under federal law, Gupta faces a maximum of 10 years for conspiracy to commit murder and murder for hire, and up to 20 years for conspiracy to commit money laundering, totaling a possible 40 years in prison. However, it is not mandatory for the maximum sentences to be imposed, as the court considers various legal factors and adheres to U.S. sentencing guidelines. Gupta may receive some leniency due to his guilty plea.
When determining the sentence, the court will evaluate the severity of the crime, the need to prevent future offenses, public safety, and other legal aspects. The prosecution indicated that had the case gone to trial, they would have presented evidence including a confidential informant, an undercover officer posing as a hitman, WhatsApp messages, call recordings, mobile phone evidence, and a video of the $15,000 transaction in New York.
The indictment revealed that Gupta, along with others, including a member of India’s Cabinet Secretariat, plotted to murder a Sikh political activist residing in New York who supported the demand for Khalistan.
Gupta also acknowledged in court that he is an Indian citizen and that his guilty plea could lead to his deportation from the U.S., as such outcomes are nearly mandatory under U.S. immigration law in similar cases.
By pleading guilty, Gupta has avoided a lengthy and diplomatically sensitive trial involving foreign conspiracy charges on U.S. soil. The court will now determine the length of his imprisonment, with a decision expected on May 29, 2026.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 8 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Udaipur Kiran & Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.