On Wednesday, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) charged an Indian national with organising an unsuccessful plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on American soil. The suspect is accused of acting on behalf of the Indian government.
The allegations are similar to those made by the Canadian government earlier this year, in connection with the killing of a prominent Sikh community leader on Canadian soil.
DOJ’s Allegations
The DOJ said in a statement, “a superseding indictment was unsealed alleging murder-for-hire charges against Indian national Nikhil Gupta, aka Nick, 52, in connection with his participation in a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen in New York City.”
The indictment mentions that the government official, only identified as “CC-1,” directed a plot to assassinate on US soil Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an attorney and political activist of Indian origin who lives in New York City.
Gupta is an Indian national living in India. He is an associate of CC-1 and has disclosed, in his communications with CC-1 and others, his involvement in international narcotics and weapons trafficking.
CC-1 is a member of an Indian government agency who has variously described himself as a “Senior Field Officer” with responsibilities in “Security Management” and “Intelligence,” and previously served in India’s Central Reserve Police Force and received “officer training” in “battle craft” and “weapons,” the statement read.
At the direction of CC-1, Gupta contacted an individual whom he mistook for a criminal associate but who was actually a confidential source (the CS) working with US law enforcement for assistance in hiring a hitman for assassination, the DOJ said.
Justice Department Announces Charges in Connection with Foiled Plot to Assassinate U.S. Citizen in New York City
— National Security Division, U.S. Dept of Justice (@DOJNatSec) November 29, 2023
Indian Government Employee Directed a Plot from India to Murder U.S.-Based Leader of Sikh Separatist Movementhttps://t.co/v1IDJXy46P pic.twitter.com/dxDmarrjH4
As per the statement, the CS introduced Gupta to a fake hitman who turned out to be an undercover US law enforcement officer (the UC). In subsequent transactions mediated by Gupta, CC-1 agreed to pay the UC $100,000 to assassinate Pannun.
The DOJ said, “On or about June 9, CC-1 and Gupta arranged for an associate to deliver $15,000 in cash to the UC as an advance payment for the murder.” The $15,000 was then delivered to the UC in Manhattan by CC-1’s associate.
According to the statement, CC-1 instructed Gupta to provide regular updates on the assassination plot’s progress, which Gupta did by sending CC-1 surveillance photographs of the intended victim, among other things.
Gupta specifically instructed the UC not to commit the murder close to when high-level US officials were expected to meet with Indian government officials, per the DOJ.
In a similar incident in June, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was murdered by masked gunmen outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia, Canada. Nijjar was Pannun’s associate who, like him, was a vocal opponent of the Indian government and the leader of the Sikh separatist movement.
As per the indictment, on the day after Nijjar’s murder in Canada, Gupta told the undercover DEA agent that Nijjar “was also the target” and “we have so many targets.”
Gupta Arrested in Czech Republic
“On or about June 30, 2023, GUPTA travelled from India to the Czech Republic. Upon his arrival in the Czech Republic, GUPTA was arrested by Czech law enforcement authorities at the request of the United States, in connection with his participation in the plot to assassinate the Victim [Pannun],” the indictment said.
Per the statement, Gupta has been “charged with murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire. Each count carries a maximum statutory penalty of ten years in prison.” A federal district court judge will impose a sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
#SidEdit: Bollywood thriller it may seem but India US ties could see rocky times. It raises several Qs as well, over Pannu's presence (listed terrorist in India) in North America & why US is keen not take action against him despite threats against Air India. https://t.co/R8CCIGGDe6
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) November 29, 2023
US Response
Adrienne Watson, the White House National Security Council spokesperson, said after the defendant “credibly indicated” that he received instructions from an Indian government official, “we took this information very seriously and engaged in direct conversations with the Indian government at the highest levels to express our concern.”
“The government of India was clear with us that they were taking this seriously and would investigate,” Watson explained. “We will continue to expect accountability from the government of India based on the results of their investigations,” she added.
Meanwhile, in response to the revelations, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau claimed on Wednesday that the US allegations underline the necessity for India to start taking similar allegations by Canada seriously.
“The news coming out of the United States further underscores what we’ve been talking about from the very beginning, which is that India needs to take this seriously,” Trudeau asserted.
India assures ‘follow-up’ after US charges Indian in alleged plot to kill Pannun
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) November 30, 2023
(@Geeta_Mohan)#India #News https://t.co/Ccn8qTmrN6
India Forms High Level Committee to Investigate Reports
Arindam Bagchi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, said on Wednesday that the Indian government has formed a high-level inquiry committee to look into the alleged plot to target a Khalistani separatist leader in the US.
In response to news reports about India-US security cooperation, Bagchi stated that the US had shared some information “pertaining to the nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists, and others.”
Bagchi added, “India takes such inputs seriously since they impinge on our national security interests as well,” and said that “relevant departments were already examining the issue.”
“In this context, it is informed that on 18 November 2023, the Government of India constituted a high-level Enquiry Committee to look into all the relevant aspects of the matter,” Bagchi stated.
In the end, the spokesperson declared that the Indian government would take the necessary follow-up actions based on the Committee’s findings.