Key Points
- Guilty Plea: Nikhil Gupta pleaded guilty on February 13, 2026, to murder,for,hire and money laundering charges.
- Sentencing Date: A formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 29, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero.
- Alleged Mastermind: U.S. prosecutors claim Gupta acted under the direction of former Indian intelligence official Vikash Yadav.
- India’s Stance: New Delhi has maintained the plot was a rogue operation, distancing the state from any involvement.
In a significant legal breakthrough, 54, year, old Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta pleaded guilty on Friday, February 13, 2026, to all three counts in a Manhattan federal court. Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, Gupta admitted to murder for hire, conspiracy to commit murder,for hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The plea marks a dramatic reversal from his previous “not guilty” stance held since his extradition from the Czech Republic in June 2024.
While the charges carry a maximum combined penalty of 40 years, the U.S. government has recommended a sentence ranging from 21 to 24 years under federal guidelines. Gupta confessed to arranging a $100,000 payment to a hitman, who was actually an undercover U.S. agent, to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual U.S., Canadian citizen designated as a terrorist by India.
The Foiled Plot and Arrest
The conspiracy, which was unraveled by the FBI and DEA, began in May 2023. Prosecutors allege that Vikash Yadav, a former official with India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), recruited Gupta to orchestrate the killing. Gupta allegedly contacted a middleman, who unknown to him, was a confidential source for U.S. law enforcement.
In June 2023, an associate of Gupta delivered a $15,000 advance payment to the undercover agent in Manhattan. The plot was reportedly timed around high-profile diplomatic visits, with Gupta instructing the “hitman” to avoid carrying out the murder during the Indian Prime Minister’s official state visit to Washington. Gupta was eventually apprehended in Prague on June 30, 2023, while traveling, leading to a year-long extradition battle.
Diplomatic Tensions and India’s Response
The case has remained a point of friction between Washington and New Delhi. While the U.S. Department of Justice continues to seek the accountability of Vikash Yadav, who remains at large, India has consistently denied state involvement. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) characterized the incident as a “rogue” operation and established a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the security lapse.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated following the plea that the conviction serves as a clear warning to foreign actors that the United States will not tolerate “transnational repression” or attempts to silence individuals on American soil. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the target of the plot, continues to lead the banned “Sikhs for Justice” organization from his base in New York.
Nikhil Gupta’s Criminal and Professional Background
Based on U.S. court documents and statements from federal agencies:
Narcotics and Weapons Trafficking: Gupta has described himself in electronic communications as an international narcotics and weapons trafficker. U.S. officials, including those from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), have characterized him as a known international narcotics trafficker.
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Recruitment for Assassination: In May 2023, Gupta was allegedly recruited by an Indian government employee (identified in court documents as Vikash Yadav) to orchestrate the murder of Pannun.
Criminal Case in India: Indictments suggest that Gupta agreed to coordinate the assassination plot in exchange for the Indian government employee’s assistance in getting a criminal case against him in India dismissed.
