A major development has emerged from New York. Nikhil Gupta, an Indian Nationalist US citizen, has plead guilty in a Manhattan federal court. The case relates to a murder-for-hire conspiracy.
The plot targeted a Sikh US citizen based in New York. The individual was a strong advocate for a sovereign Sikh state. Gupta admitted to coordinating the assassination attempt.
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Investigators revealed that Gupta acted at the direction of Indian government employee Vikas Yadav. The total negotiated payment for the operation was $100,000. The plan was carefully structured.
Gupta and Yadav allegedly planned to assassinate the Sikh separatist. The target openly supported the secession of Punjab from India. The accused contacted a person they believed was a criminal associate.
However, that person turned out to be a confidential source for the Drug Enforcement Agency DEA. The conspirators paid $15,000 in advance. The money was given to another undercover DEA agent posing as a hitman.
The duo also shared sensitive personal details about the target. This included the home address in New York City. They provided phone numbers and information about daily routines.
Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic in 2023. He was later extradited to the US. He has now plead guilty to three separate criminal charges.
These charges include Murder-for-Hire and Conspiracy to Commit Murder-for-Hire. It also includes Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. The legal proceedings are ongoing.
Gupta now faces a maximum combined sentence of 40 years in federal prison. The sentencing is scheduled for May 29, 2026. The case has drawn significant international attention.
Indian National Pleads Guilty To Plotting To Assassinate U.S. Citizen In New York City
“Nikhil Gupta plotted to assassinate a U.S. citizen in New York City,”
Via @FBI https://t.co/yHkqGyYDqN
— M9 USA (@M9USA_) February 13, 2026
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