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Nikhil Gupta has reportedly told a US judge that he planned the alleged Pannun assassination operation alone, ahead of his November 20 sentencing. (Img: X)
Washington: Indian national Nikhil Gupta, facing sentencing in the United States in the high-profile murder-for-hire case involving a US-based Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has reportedly indicated in a letter to US District Judge Victor Marrero that he planned the alleged assassination operation alone. He expressed remorse over his conduct, acknowledged his psychological turmoil during the period preceding his arrest and described the emotional and mental challenges he experienced in custody.
In a deeply personal account submitted to Judge Marrero ahead of his November 20 sentencing, Gupta reportedly presented himself as the sole planner of the alleged operation, while expressing regret over the decisions that eventually brought him into the US criminal justice system.
Reflecting on his personal circumstances in early 2023, Gupta described a period of profound psychological instability, emotional isolation and deteriorating judgement. He reportedly acknowledged that his outwardly stable life concealed serious personal difficulties and that excessive alcohol consumption had compounded his problems.
He conveyed regret over the consequences of his actions and expressed a desire to reverse the decisions he made during that period. His account portrayed a person struggling with personal conflicts and increasingly detached from his family. The letter also conveyed his longing to reunite with his wife, children and mother, while acknowledging the distress his circumstances had caused his family members.
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Gupta reportedly disclosed experiencing severe suicidal thoughts after his arrest, describing the psychological burden of incarceration and the anguish associated with the consequences of his alleged actions. The accused also detailed his experience across two detention jurisdictions following his arrest in Prague, Czech Republic, in June 2023.
His detention in the Czech Republic reportedly included a period of solitary confinement before his extradition to the United States. He was subsequently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, while the criminal proceedings progressed.
According to his letter, the experience of isolation, restrictions on communication and perceived threats of violence from fellow inmates made incarceration particularly difficult. He described his inability to establish contact with his family for several weeks following his detention as one of the most challenging aspects of his time behind bars. As per Gupta, the communication restrictions left him deeply concerned about informing his relatives that he was alive and explaining the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
Gupta also described how he gradually turned towards meditation, yoga and spiritual literature to cope with the psychological pressures of incarceration. He said these practices helped him manage isolation and find a degree of emotional stability during a period marked by uncertainty and personal distress.
Gupta pleaded guilty on February 13 to three federal charges: murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering. The charges carry substantial potential penalties, and Gupta could face a lengthy prison term.
Reports have indicated a possible maximum aggregate exposure of up to 40 years, although the actual sentence will be determined by the court under the applicable legal framework. Gupta has reportedly conveyed that he would accept whatever punishment the court ultimately imposes.
Federal prosecutors have sought permission for Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to address the court directly for approximately 20 minutes. The separatist is identified by US authorities as the intended target of the alleged assassination plot, which was reportedly thwarted before the planned attack could be carried out in 2023.
The criminal prosecution of Gupta is unfolding alongside a separate civil legal battle initiated by Pannun in the United States. Pannun has filed a civil lawsuit naming senior Indian officials, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and former Research and Analysis Wing chief Samant Goel.
The allegations in the civil proceedings have been strongly rejected by the Indian government, which has characterised them as fabricated and malicious. India has maintained its opposition to allegations implicating senior officials and has challenged the narrative surrounding the wider controversy.
The civil litigation and Gupta's criminal prosecution are separate legal proceedings and must be assessed independently. The allegations made in a civil complaint do not, by themselves, establish the involvement or liability of the individuals named.
