Pannun assassination plot: Accused Nikhil Gupta reveals ‘mental struggles’ in letter to judge ahead of sentencing in US
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New Delhi: Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, has asserted that he worked alone in the alleged plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. In a letter to US district judge Victor Marrero, ahead of his sentencing on November 20, he expressed regret for his actions.
Gupta talked about the personal battles that clouded his judgment in 2023. He blamed heavy drinking and mental distress for his decisions. “I had lost my mind… wish I could turn back time to 2023 and undo my mistakes,” he wrote.
He also recalled experiencing suicidal thoughts during the initial days of his detention. He said he remained troubled by the suffering caused to his wife, children, mother and other family members. He also mentioned his two cats, the Times of India reported.
Gupta was initially detained in the Czech Republic, where he spent time in solitary confinement. He was later transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn. He said isolation and threats from other inmates made custody difficult.
He eventually turned to yoga, meditation and spiritual books to cope with prison life. Gupta also described his struggle to contact his family after his arrest. He said restrictions prevented him from informing them about his situation for several weeks.
What is the Pannun assassination case?
The case concerns an alleged conspiracy to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York in 2023. Pannun is a US-based lawyer associated with Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which campaigns for an independent Khalistan. India designated him a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2020.
US prosecutors alleged that Gupta worked with an Indian government employee to arrange the assassination. The alleged operation involved recruiting a contract killer and arranging payment. However, the person approached to carry out the killing was an undercover US Drug Enforcement Administration operative.
Gupta was arrested in Prague in June 2023 and extradited to the US in June 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 13, 2026, to murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is now awaiting sentencing.
Pannun seeks to address US court
US prosecutors have requested that Pannun be allowed to address the court for around 20 minutes during Gupta’s sentencing hearing. They have also sought permission to present audio and video evidence. The hearing is scheduled for November 20.
The case has also triggered separate civil proceedings. Pannun filed a lawsuit in September 2024 against the Indian government and several individuals, including national security advisor, Ajit Doval, former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief, Samant Goel, Vikash Yadav and Gupta.
In a separate development, US district judge, Katherine Polk Failla allowed Pannun to pursue serving legal summonses on Doval and Goel through courts in Delhi. The proposed documents must be submitted by November 30. India has rejected the allegations of government involvement in the alleged conspiracy.
Gupta’s sentencing will determine the punishment for the offences to which he has pleaded guilty. His claim that he acted alone does not settle the separate allegations against other individuals.
