Charges In Connection With Foiled Plot To Assassinate US Citizen In New York City Raises Serious Allegations Against “Indian Government Employee”
Various government offices in US announced in a statement about the filing of murder-for-hire charges against Indian national Nikhil Gupta, aka “Nick,” in connection with his participation in a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen in New York City.
The statement, according to reports, is to a murder plot involving controversial Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
U.S. Attorney”s Office, Southern District of New York said that the charges are contained in a Superseding Indictment unsealed today in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero. Czech authorities arrested and detained Nikhil Gupta on June 30, 2023, based on the bilateral extradition treaty between the United States and the Czech Republic.
US Attorney Damian Williams stated that, as alleged, the defendant had conspired from India to assassinate a US citizen of Indian origin in New York City. The targeted individual had publicly advocated for the establishment of a sovereign state for Sikhs, an ethnoreligious minority group in India. Williams expressed gratitude that his office and law enforcement partners had neutralized the alleged threat, emphasizing a commitment to not tolerate efforts to assassinate US citizens on US soil. He asserted readiness to investigate, thwart, and prosecute anyone seeking to harm and silence Americans, whether domestically or abroad.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen stated that the dedicated law enforcement agents and prosecutors in the case had foiled and exposed a dangerous plot to assassinate a US citizen on US soil. He emphasized that the Department of Justice would be relentless in using the full reach of their authorities to pursue accountability for lethal plotting emanating from overseas.
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram acknowledged that when a foreign government employee allegedly committed the brazen act of recruiting an international narcotics trafficker to murder a US citizen on US soil, the DEA was there to stop the plot. She recognized the outstanding work of the DEA New York Field Division for their leadership in the investigation, the prosecution team at the US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan for pursuing the indictment, and federal and global law enforcement partners for their assistance.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith remarked that murder for hire is a crime out of a movie, but the plot in this case was all too real. He highlighted the excellent teamwork of law enforcement partners in exposing the brazen conspiracy, leading to Nikhil Gupta finding himself in jail, awaiting to answer to these charges.
The press release from the attorney’s office mentions involvement of an Indian government employee, plotted with Nikhil Gupta and others, and “directed a plot to assassinate on US soil an attorney and political activist who is a US citizen of Indian origin residing in New York City.”
The indictment also mentions that the government employee who was mentioned earlier “is an Indian government agency employee who has variously described himself as a “Senior Field Officer” with responsibilities in “Security Management” and “Intelligence,” and who also has referenced previously serving in India’s Central Reserve Police Force and receiving “officer training” in “battle craft” and “weapons”.”
Meanwhile, news agency PTI reported that Indian government has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to probe the allegations.
“… on November 18, the Government of India constituted a high-level Enquiry Committee to look into all the relevant aspects of the matter,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Wednesday while adding that US has shared some inputs pertaining to nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists and others.
