In turnaround, Indian national Nikhil Gupta pleads guilty in Khalistani's murder-for-hire case
Times of India
by CHIDANAND RAJGHATTAFebruary 13, 2026
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In a dramatic turn of events, Indian national Nikhil Gupta has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a foiled plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani separatist leader and U.S. citizen. Gupta, who appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, admitted to three counts: murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. This marked a significant shift from his previous adamant denial of any wrongdoing since his extradition from the Czech Republic in June 2024. Legal experts suggest that the overwhelming evidence presented by federal prosecutors played a crucial role in his decision to plead guilty.
The case came to light through wiretapped conversations and electronic communications, which allegedly revealed Gupta negotiating a $100,000 fee with an undercover U.S. federal agent posing as a hitman. By entering a guilty plea, Gupta avoided the possibility of a high-profile trial that could have led to a maximum sentence of 40 years. However, the U.S. government has recommended a prison term of 21 to 24 years, and Senior U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero is expected to schedule a formal sentencing hearing in the coming months.
Central to the indictment is Vikash Yadav, a former official in India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), who is accused of recruiting Gupta to coordinate the assassination. Despite U.S. authorities issuing an arrest warrant for Yadav, he remains in India, with New Delhi stating that he is no longer employed by the government. While acknowledging Yadav's
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/13/2026