Nikhil Gupta: Indian Man Who Plotted Khalistani Terrorist Pannun’s Murder
An Indian man has pleaded guilty in a US court for plotting to hire a hitman to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York, sparking diplomatic tensions between India and the US.
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A major case involving an alleged plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has taken a new turn in the United States. Pannun, who lives in the US and Canada, has been declared a terrorist by India. In 2023, US authorities accused individuals linked to India of planning to assassinate him in New York.
According to US investigators, in May 2023, Vikash Yadav, described as a former Indian government employee who had worked with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), contacted a man named Nikhil and told him that someone wanted Pannun killed in New York. Nikhil allegedly agreed, hoping to earn money and resolve his own legal troubles in India.
Nikhil then tried to find a hitman. He contacted a person he believed was connected to criminal networks. However, that person was actually a confidential informant working with US intelligence. The informant introduced Nikhil to another individual who posed as a contract killer but was in fact an undercover US officer.
In June 2023, Nikhil and the undercover officer began discussing the plan. The deal was reportedly set at $100,000, and Nikhil paid $15,000 in advance around 9 June. He also shared personal details of Pannun, including his address and daily routine. However, Nikhil allegedly told the undercover officer not to carry out the killing during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to the US in late June, saying it could create diplomatic problems.
Around the same time, another separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was shot dead in Canada on 18 June 2023. Investigators claim Nikhil referred to Nijjar as “also a target” and suggested there were more names on the list.
Throughout this period, US authorities were monitoring the conversations. On 30 June 2023, Nikhil travelled to the Czech Republic, where he was arrested at the request of the United States. After several months, he was extradited to the US to face charges.
In early 2024, Nikhil pleaded not guilty in a New York court. Later, in October 2024, US prosecutors released new documents directly naming Vikash Yadav as the person who had instructed Nikhil to arrange the killing. India responded by stating that such actions were against its policy and that Yadav was not working for the government at that time.
After prolonged legal proceedings, Nikhil changed his plea. In February 2026, in New York, he admitted guilt. He confessed that he had tried to hire someone to kill Pannun and had transferred money illegally for the plan. He now faces up to 40 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for May 2026.
The case has created tension between the US and India, as it involves an alleged assassination plot on American soil. The US has stated that no foreign country can carry out such actions within its borders, while India has maintained that the alleged acts do not reflect its official policies or ethics.
