Nikhil Gupta sentenced to 24 years in US for plotting assassination of Pannun

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Indian national Nikhil Gupta has been sentenced to 24 years in prison in the United States for conspiring to assassinate designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The sentence was pronounced on Friday after the court found him guilty.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said the case shows that the United States remains vigilant against foreign plots aimed at threatening or harming people on American soil. According to the agency, Gupta admitted to arranging payment for the killing, participating in the conspiracy, and engaging in money laundering.

US agencies say plot was foiled in time

FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky said a US citizen was targeted for exercising free expression, but law enforcement agencies disrupted the plan before it could be carried out.

According to the US Department of Justice, Gupta was allegedly recruited by an Indian government employee—whose identity has not been made public—to arrange a hitman for the killing of Pannun. US authorities, however, detected and stopped the conspiracy.

India clarifies employment status

India’s Ministry of External Affairs clarified that Nikhil Gupta is not a current employee of the Government of India. It is noteworthy that Pannun has been designated a terrorist by India and holds US and Canadian citizenship. US officials reiterated that strict legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to harm individuals in the United States.