Indian National Pleads Guilty to Assassination Plot Against India-Designated Terrorist in New York

Nikhil Gupta admitted to conspiring to murder a US citizen on behalf of an Indian government employee.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, has pleaded guilty to charges related to a murder-for-hire plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an India-designated terrorist living in New York City. Gupta admitted to conspiring with an unnamed Indian government employee (referred to as CC-1) to hire a hitman to assassinate Pannun, which was ultimately foiled by US authorities.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about transnational repression, where foreign governments allegedly target dissidents or critics living abroad. It also raises questions about the involvement of Indian government officials in such plots against US citizens exercising their constitutional rights.

The details

According to prosecutors, Gupta and the unnamed Indian government employee (CC-1) recruited Gupta to hire a hitman to carry out the assassination of Pannun, who holds both American and Canadian citizenship. The plot was ultimately foiled by US law enforcement, leading to Gupta's guilty plea on charges of murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

  • On October 17, 2024, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the individual named in the US Justice Department's indictment was no longer an employee of the Indian government.
  • Nikhil Gupta pleaded guilty to the charges on February 16, 2026.
  • Gupta is scheduled to be sentenced by US District Judge Victor Marrero on May 29, 2026.

The players

Nikhil Gupta

An Indian national who pleaded guilty to charges related to a murder-for-hire plot against an India-designated terrorist living in New York City.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

An India-designated terrorist who holds both American and Canadian citizenship and was the target of the alleged assassination plot.

CC-1

An unnamed Indian government employee who allegedly recruited Nikhil Gupta to hire a hitman to carry out the assassination of Pannun.

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What they’re saying

“Nikhil Gupta was a key participant in a murder-for-hire plot against a US citizen, a murder that was prevented thanks to the actions of US law enforcement.”

— FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky (FBI)

“The US citizen became a target of transnational repression solely for exercising their freedom of speech. The message from the FBI should be clear – no matter where you are located if you try to harm our citizens we will not stop until you are brought to justice.”

— FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky (FBI)

What’s next

Nikhil Gupta is scheduled to be sentenced by US District Judge Victor Marrero on May 29, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing concerns about transnational repression, where foreign governments allegedly target dissidents or critics living abroad, and the importance of US law enforcement in protecting American citizens from such threats, even when they originate from overseas.