Indian national Nikhil Gupta, currently awaiting sentencing in a US federal court for his involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate pro-Khalistan separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has written to the presiding judge expressing regret for his actions. Ahead of his scheduled sentencing on November 20, Gupta told US District Judge Victor Marrero that he acted alone and that he wished he could undo his mistakes.
In a letter to the court, Gupta reflected on the period leading up to his arrest, describing himself as being in a state of personal turmoil during early 2023. He noted that while his life appeared stable to others, he was experiencing significant distress. Gupta, who was detained in the Czech Republic before being extradited to the United States to face trial, also shared that he had contemplated suicide following his initial arrest but ultimately chose to stay strong for his family.
In February, Gupta entered a guilty plea in a New York federal court to three federal charges related to the conspiracy. According to the US Department of Justice, the operation involved an attempt to hire a hitman for $100,000, not knowing that the contact was an undercover federal agent. Court filings indicate that Gupta arranged for an associate to deliver a $15,000 cash advance in Manhattan and provided surveillance photos and personal details regarding Pannun, who is a dual US-Canadian citizen.
The US Department of Justice has stated that Gupta was recruited in 2023 by an Indian government employee, identified as Vikash Yadav, to facilitate the assassination. The government has urged Judge Marrero to impose a sentence of 293 months, or just over 24 years, in prison.
Key facts
- Sentencing for Nikhil Gupta is scheduled to take place on November 20 in a US court.
- Prosecutors are requesting a prison term of 293 months, or slightly more than 24 years.
- Gupta’s defence team has requested a sentence of 144 months, or approximately 12 years.
- Gupta pleaded guilty in February to three federal charges, including murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire.
- The conspiracy carried a maximum potential penalty of 20 years for the money laundering charge and 10 years each for the other two counts.
Background
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was designated as an individual terrorist by the Indian government in July 2020.
Source: Livemint, Hindustan Times
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