In a startling revelation, Nikhil Gupta, a 52-year-old Indian national, has been thrust into the spotlight for his alleged leading role in a sinister plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Sikh separatist leader residing in the United States. The unfolding story not only points fingers at Nikhil Gupta but also unravels the details of a conspiracy that has caught the attention of the world.
As detailed in the complaint filed by the Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Nikhil Gupta is portrayed as a key figure in orchestrating Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s murder. United states claims that that Gupta, along with co-conspirators, including a senior official in the Indian Intelligence Bureau (IB), known as “CC-1,” meticulously planned and executed the chilling assassination plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US citizen living in New York City. Nikhil Gupta has come forward with a surprising claim, contending that he was compelled by Indian officials to orchestrate the assassination in return of relief from a case against him in Gujarat. Indian agencies have dismissed these claims.
Nikhil Gupta’s alleged involvement goes beyond being a mere participant; he is depicted as the linchpin, facilitating communication, providing guidance, and even financial assistance to bring the sinister plan to fruition. The complaint indicates that the motive behind the conspiracy stems from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s vocal criticism of the Indian government and its policies, particularly those affecting minority groups.
The intricate details of the plot, as outlined in the complaint, reveal a clandestine world of encrypted messaging applications, where Gupta and his co-conspirators, spread across various countries, meticulously coordinated their activities. Discussions on various methods of execution, surveillance on the intended targets, including Pannun and another individual identified as Hardeep Singh Nijjar, unfolded in the narrative.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen designated as a Khalistani terrorist in India, became another target in this elaborate plot. Gupta and his co-conspirators allegedly sought to recruit additional individuals, discussing the acquisition of weapons and explosives for their mission. Disturbingly, there were even discussions about creating a fake organization to claim responsibility for the killings, justifying them as acts of self-defense or resistance.
The international dimension of this conspiracy came to light when Czech authorities arrested and detained Nikhil Gupta, also known as Nick on June 30, 2023, pursuant to the bilateral extradition treaty between the United States and the Czech Republic. This development underscores the collaborative efforts between nations to bring the alleged mastermind to justice.
The charges leveled against Nikhil Gupta are serious and carry severe penalties. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, a charge that could result in a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if proven in a court of law. Additionally, Gupta faces one count of conspiracy to commit foreign travel in furtherance of murder-for-hire, which carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.
It is crucial to note that these charges are currently allegations, and Nikhil Gupta is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. As the legal proceedings progress, the world watches closely, seeking answers to the troubling questions surrounding Nikhil Gupta’s alleged central role in the intricate plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
