An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, has pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to charges related to plotting the assassination of a U.S. citizen in New York City. Gupta admitted guilt to three counts: murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The plea was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, with sentencing scheduled for May 29, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated, “Nikhil Gupta plotted to assassinate a U.S. citizen in New York City. He thought that from outside this country he could kill someone in it without consequence, simply for exercising their American right to free speech. But he was wrong, and he will face justice. Our message to all nefarious foreign actors should be clear: steer clear of the United States and our people.”
FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky commented on law enforcement’s intervention: “Nikhil Gupta was a key participant in a murder-for-hire plot against a U.S. citizen, a murder that was prevented thanks to the actions of U.S. law enforcement. The U.S. 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.”
DEA Administrator Terrance Cole highlighted connections between drug trafficking and violent crime: “It is often a slippery and dangerous slope from drug trafficking to deadly violence, as demonstrated by the murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by international narcotics and weapons trafficker Nikhil Gupta,” said Cole. “This case is a stark reminder of the ruthless lengths criminals will go to in order to further their illegal enterprises. I commend the men and women of DEA’s New York Task Force Division for their outstanding investigative work successfully foiling Gupta’s assassination plot. Let there be no doubt: DEA remains steadfast in its mission to protect America. We will continue to leverage our superior investigative expertise and unmatched intelligence capabilities to dismantle the drug trafficking networks that threaten our safety and well-being of our communities.”
James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI’s New York Field Office, noted foreign involvement: “At the direction and coordination of an Indian government employee, Nikhil Gupta plotted to assassinate a United States citizen on American soil, facilitating a foreign adversary’s unlawful effort to silence a vocal critic of the Indian government,” Barnacle said.“The FBI will continue to aggressively defend the homeland against any foreign adversaries who target our citizens for exercising their constitutionally protected rights.”
According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, Gupta collaborated with others including Vikash Yadav—a government employee at India’s Cabinet Secretariat—in planning an attack on an attorney and political activist who is both an American citizen of Indian origin and an outspoken critic of India’s policies regarding Punjab state.
Gupta contacted what he believed were criminal associates but who were actually cooperating with U.S authorities; through these contacts he brokered payment arrangements for carrying out the planned killing.
Gupta provided personal information about his intended victim—including addresses and daily routines—to undercover officers posing as hitmen.
On June 30th 2023 , Czech authorities arrested Gupta; after extradition procedures involving several agencies—including cooperation between American law enforcement entities such as DEA , FBI , Department Of Justice ,and Czech counterparts —he faced trial in Manhattan federal court.
The defendant faces up-to-40 years imprisonment if maximum penalties are imposed at sentencing.
Jay Clayton praised collaborative efforts across multiple agencies—including international partners—for their role in thwarting this cross-border criminal conspiracy.
