February 13, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
In a major development with international legal and political implications, Nikhil Gupta, a 54-year-old Indian national, pleaded guilty on February 13, 2026, in a Manhattan federal court to charges related to a failed assassination plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Sikh separatist activist and U.S. citizen living in New York City. Gupta’s admission brings a controversial chapter of alleged transnational repression and diplomatic tension into sharp focus.
Gupta entered his plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, admitting to multiple counts including murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, framing a serious and calculated attempt to kill a political dissident on U.S. soil. Prosecutors indicate he could face up to 40 years in prison, with recommended sentencing guidelines pointing to roughly 20 to 24 years behind bars.
Plot Details and Legal Strategy
According to U.S. authorities, Gupta conspired to hire someone to assassinate Pannun after being recruited by a now-charged Indian government employee, allegedly working with India’s Research and Analysis Wing, India’s foreign intelligence service. Court documents outline that he attempted to pay what he believed was a hitman who in reality was an undercover agent working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in a botched murder-for-hire operation. Prosecutors say Gupta made an initial advance payment of $15,000 as part of the plot.
The intended target, Pannun, is a lawyer and leader of Sikhs for Justice, a group advocating for a sovereign Sikh state — often referred to as Khalistan — in northern India. His activism and political goals have drawn strong opposition from the Indian government, which labels his movement illegal and extremist; however, officials in New Delhi have denied authorising or endorsing any plot against him.
U.S. Response and Legal Rhetoric
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton condemned the plot during press statements, emphasising that “anyone who tries to harm people in the United States will be brought to justice,” stressing that the plot violated American law and national sovereignty. The courtroom was said to have been filled with supporters of Pannun, some of whom held a prayer vigil before proceedings.
FBI officials described the case as a stark warning to foreign actors that targeting U.S. citizens — especially for political motives will be met with severe legal consequences. The DEA also highlighted the operation as part of its ongoing commitment to thwart transnational criminal initiatives tied to politically charged violence.
Broader Diplomatic Context
The case arrives amid heightened scrutiny of allegations of state-sponsored transnational repression, particularly against Sikh activists abroad. Earlier incidents including the 2023 shooting death of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada have already strained New Delhi’s relationships with Western capitals. This latest guilty plea adds further diplomatic complexity, especially as critics accuse India of extending hostile measures against dissidents outside its borders charges New Delhi continues to deny.
Gupta’s sentencing has been scheduled for May 29, 2026, while the Indian government employee allegedly involved in directing the plot remains at large and similarly charged under U.S. law. As the legal process unfolds, the case is expected to continue drawing global attention to issues of free speech, international law, and the limits of state influence across borders.