Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, has been charged by US federal prosecutors for his involvement in a failed plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist with American and Canadian citizenship, on American soil. Gupta, 52, allegedly attempted to hire a hitman, who turned out to be an undercover US federal agent. Currently detained in the Czech Republic, Gupta awaits extradition to the US and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The plot allegedly involved a high-ranking Indian official, referred to as “CC-1” in the indictment, who orchestrated the assassination plan from India. The US Department of Justice claims that CC-1 asked Gupta to arrange Pannun’s murder in exchange for assistance in dismissing a criminal case against Gupta in India. Gupta agreed to carry out the assassination and even met CC-1 in person in New Delhi as part of the plot.
The communication between CC-1 and Gupta took place through encrypted applications, and on May 6, 2023, CC-1 instructed Gupta to save his name under an alias. CC-1 then informed Gupta that they had a target in New York and another in California. Acting on CC-1’s instructions, Gupta sought the help of an individual he believed to be a criminal associate but was actually a confidential informant working with the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Gupta intended to engage a hitman for Pannun’s murder in New York City.
India has expressed concern over the US allegation of a government official’s involvement in directing a murder plot on American soil. The Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson announced that a high-level probe committee would thoroughly investigate the matter, emphasizing that such activities are contrary to government policy. The US has welcomed India’s efforts to investigate the case and Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that they take the matter seriously, having raised it directly with the Indian Government in recent weeks.
