The Justice Department has unveiled charges against an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, for his alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire plot on American soil. The indictment, unsealed in federal court in Manhattan, reveals that Gupta, in collaboration with an Indian government employee identified as CC-1, conspired to assassinate an American citizen who is a prominent leader in the Sikh separatist movement.

According to court papers, the plot was foiled by vigilant U.S. law enforcement. This incident comes only months after Canada accused Indian government agents of murdering a Sikh community leader in British Columbia, raising concerns about India's actions abroad.

Although the court papers do not explicitly identify the intended victim, Gurpatwant Singh Pannum, the general counsel for Sikhs for Justice, confirmed via a statement on X that he was the target.

Gupta, a 52-year-old Indian national, is said to have previously been involved in international narcotics and weapons trafficking. He now faces one count of murder for hire and one count of murder-for-hire conspiracy. American officials report that Gupta was apprehended in June in the Czech Republic at the request of the United States.

The indictment alleges that CC-1, an Indian government employee based in India and described as a "Senior Field Officer" with intelligence responsibilities, directed the plot. Court papers reveal that CC-1 recruited Gupta in May 2023, to orchestrate the assassination, offering to secure the dismissal of a criminal case against Gupta in India as compensation.

Gupta, having agreed to the terms, proceeded to contact an individual to facilitate the involvement of a hitman in the U.S. Unknowingly to Gupta, the person he contacted was a confidential source for American law enforcement. The individual, known only as a confidential source, introduced Gupta to an individual purported to be a hitman but was, in fact, an undercover DEA officer.

According to court documents, Gupta agreed to pay the undercover agent $100,000 for carrying out the murder and arranged a $15,000 cash down payment.

Shortly after, it is alleged that the Indian government employee provided Gupta with specific details about the intended target, including their home address, phone numbers, and daily routine. Gupta then instructed the supposed hitman to carry out the murder as soon as possible, but not during high-level meetings between U.S. and Indian officials.

The indictment also mentions the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia, Canada, on June 18. Nijjar was reportedly an associate of Gupta's intended target. Court documents indicate that the Indian government employee, just hours after Nijjar's murder, sent Gupta a video clip showing Nijjar's lifeless body and shared the street address of Gupta's intended target in New York City.

Less than two weeks after receiving this message, Gupta was arrested by Czech authorities.

At the time of writing, the Indian government has not yet commented on the charges against Gupta. The case raises fresh concerns about India's alleged involvement in extrajudicial activities abroad and raises questions about the safety and security of Sikh individuals and leaders living outside of India.

The trial for Gupta's alleged involvement in the murder-for-hire plot is slated to occur in federal court in Manhattan, where further details and evidence are expected to be revealed.