It has surfaced that Nikhil Gupta is at the core of a global conspiracy to kill him. The 52-year-old Indian man is seen by the US as being essential to a plot to assassinate a Sikh leader in the US. Gupta, who was detained in the Czech Republic in June, is accused of plotting the murder of an Indian US citizen. The “target” is an outspoken opponent of the Indian government and supporter of Punjabi separatist activities.
Federal prosecutor Damian Williams, according to news agency, “conspired from India to assassinate, right here in New York City, a US citizen of Indian origin who has publicly advocated for the establishment of a sovereign state for Sikhs.”
The leader of Sikhs for Justice, a pro-Khalistan organisation advocating for an independent Sikh state, is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, despite the prosecution not naming the “target.”
An unidentified senior field officer in security and intelligence for the Indian government is characterised as adding to the plot’s complexity. This person is said to have recruited Gupta for the murder.
According to US investigators, the unidentified Indian government employee “agreed in dealings brokered by Gupta” to give the undercover agent $100,000 in exchange for the killing, as reported by news agency. Gupta thought he had the perfect hitman for the job. The ‘hitman’ was actually an undercover US agent, which he was unaware of.
In addition to drawing criticism, these events have intensified diplomatic ties. The story bears similarities to an earlier occurrence in Canada that resulted in the death of another Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and a diplomatic spat between Ottawa and New Delhi. In talks with Indian officials, the US emphasised the seriousness of these accusations and voiced its deep worry over them.
After Nijjar was killed, Gupta allegedly told US undercover agents that there was “no need to wait” to assassinate the US target. He claimed that Nijjar “was also the target” and that they were only two of “many targets,” according to the US Justice Department.
The US Justice Department claims that Gupta had counselled the hitman against conducting the assassination during a time when high-level talks between US and Indian government officials were scheduled.
It appears that Gupta has acknowledged a past of illegal activity. Prosecutors claim that he discussed his history of drug and firearm trafficking with undercover officers. Two counts of murder for hire and murder for hire conspiracy are brought against him. He might receive a term of up to 20 years in prison if proven guilty.
