Nikhil Gupta’s dramatic admission of involvement in a murder-for-hire scheme in a federal court in New York has swiftly concluded his trial without witness testimonies or the presentation of evidence by prosecutors. Gupta, previously accused of targeting a Khalistani leader, pleaded guilty to three charges, including murder-for-hire and money laundering conspiracies.
This marked a significant shift from Gupta’s earlier plea of not guilty in 2024. With the trial bypassed, the case will proceed directly to the sentencing phase, skipping the traditional trial process involving evidence presentation and witness testimonies.
The intended victim of the plot is believed to be Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, described by prosecutors as a US citizen of Indian descent advocating for Punjab’s secession and the establishment of Khalistan. Gupta’s admission of guilt occurred before Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, expediting the case’s progress towards sentencing under Judge Victor Marrero’s oversight.
