Nikhil Gupta Accused of Plotting to Kill US Resident Advocating for Sovereign Sikh State
An Indian man, Nikhil Gupta, suspected by the US of involvement in an unsuccessful plot to kill a Sikh separatist on American soil, has pleaded not guilty to murder-for-hire conspiracy charges in a federal court in Manhattan.
Gupta, 52, is accused by US federal prosecutors of conspiring with an Indian government official to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US resident and advocate for a sovereign Sikh state in northern India.
Last June, Gupta traveled from India to Prague, where he was arrested by Czech authorities. Despite his petition to avoid extradition, a Czech court rejected his plea last month, and he was extradited to the US on Friday.
The alleged assassination plots against Sikh separatists in the US and Canada have strained relations with India, which is seen by western nations as a counterbalance to China’s rising global influence. India’s government has denied any involvement in such plots.
In September, Canada’s intelligence agencies announced they were investigating potential links between the Indian government and the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023 in British Columbia.
In November, US authorities alleged that an Indian government official directed the plot to assassinate Pannun, who holds both US and Canadian citizenship. Gupta is accused of being involved in this conspiracy.
Pannun told Reuters on Sunday that while Gupta’s extradition is a welcome step, “Nikhil Gupta is just a foot soldier.” He claimed that senior members of the Indian government, acting under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were behind the plot.
India’s government has distanced itself from the alleged plot against Pannun, stating it is against government policy. New Delhi has agreed to investigate the security concerns raised by Washington.
India has long regarded Sikh separatist groups outside the country as security threats, viewing the Khalistan movement for an independent Sikh state as a significant concern.
Last month, Washington expressed satisfaction with India’s efforts to ensure accountability in the alleged plots but noted that further steps are needed.