Nikhil Gupta Pleads Guilty In Alleged Plot Against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun; FBI Says US Citizen Was Targeted

• FBI describes Gurpatwant Singh Pannun as target of 'transnational repression'
• Indian national Nikhil Gupta pleads guilty in alleged murder-for-hire plot
• Case continues to draw diplomatic and legal attention between India and US

A fresh development has emerged in the alleged assassination plot targeting Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun after the US Federal Bureau of Investigation termed him a "target of transnational repression". The statement came as Indian national Nikhil Gupta pleaded guilty in a US court for his role in the alleged plot.

FBI Statement On Pannun Case

The FBI, in a public statement, said a US citizen had been targeted in a murder-for-hire conspiracy that was foiled by American law enforcement agencies. Without naming him directly in the social media post, the agency was referring to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based lawyer and leader of the banned organisation Sikhs for Justice.

Officials stated that the alleged target was chosen due to his public activities and speech, adding that attempts to harm US citizens would be pursued regardless of where conspirators operate from.

Nikhil Gupta Pleads Guilty In US Court

Nikhil Gupta, an Indian citizen extradited from the Czech Republic, appeared before a Manhattan federal court and admitted involvement in the plot. US prosecutors said Gupta agreed to arrange the killing of Pannun in 2023 and had paid an advance amount to a person he believed to be a contract killer.

Gupta allegedly agreed to pay $100,000 for the killing

$15,000 was paid as an advance to an undercover operative
He now faces a possible prison sentence of around 20-24 years
Gupta had earlier denied the charges but changed his plea during the latest court proceedings.

Alleged Role Of 'CC-1'

According to US prosecutors, an individual identified as "CC-1" recruited Gupta and coordinated the alleged plan. American authorities later named this individual as Vikash Yadav, who they claim had links to Indian security structures at the time.

The US Justice Department formally indicted Yadav in 2024. Indian authorities have said he is no longer associated with the government and have denied any official involvement in the matter.

New Delhi has consistently rejected allegations of state involvement in the case. Officials have maintained that any actions linked to individuals named in US documents are not connected to the Indian government.

The case remains under legal proceedings in the United States and continues to be closely watched for its diplomatic and security implications.