New York. An Indian citizen accused of being involved in a conspiracy to murder a Sikh separatist in America has accepted the charges against him. According to the related case, the alleged murder plot had failed. Nikhil Gupta pleaded guilty to related charges on Friday.

Magistrate Justice Sarah Netburn recommended that District Judge Marrero accept the petition. The date of hearing has been fixed for March 15. Gupta was extradited to the US from the Czech Republic in June 2024 and his first appearance was in Manhattan federal court before Magistrate Justice James Cott.

During his appearance in court, he had earlier pleaded innocent. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on the request of the US government. He was accused of being involved in conspiring to murder Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in New York. Pannu has citizenship of both America and Canada.

Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement that Gupta pleaded guilty to murder for hire, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, conspiracy to commit murder for hire, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

According to the allegations contained in the charge sheet, other public court documents, and statements made in court, Gupta worked with others in India and elsewhere, including co-defendant Vikas Yadav, to plot to murder Pannu on US soil. At Yadav’s behest, Gupta contacted a man he believed to be a criminal associate, but who was actually a confidential source working with the Drug Enforcement Administration to help contract a hitman to murder Pannu in New York City.

Later, in a deal brokered by Gupta, Yadav agreed to pay USD 100,000 to the undercover officer for the murder of the victim. Around June 9, 2023, Yadav and Gupta arranged for an accomplice to deliver USD 15,000 cash to the undercover officer as advance payment for the murder.