NEW YORK: An Indian citizen has openly confessed to a conspiracy to assassinate a Sikh leader in the United States.

The accused, Nikhil Gupta, admitted his role in the plot against Gurpatwant Singh, a U.S.-based Sikh activist critical of the Indian government.

The U.S. Department of Justice revealed that Gupta acted under instructions from the Indian intelligence agency RAW. According to court documents, Gupta hired a hitman to carry out the murder and has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit murder for hire and money laundering.

The DOJ stated that Gupta believed he could orchestrate a killing on U.S. soil while remaining abroad. He was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30, 2023, and extradited to the United States.

The plot follows the June 2023 assassination of another Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada, which occurred two days before a proposed visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gupta reportedly indicated immediately after Nijjar’s killing that Gurpatwant Singh was the next target.

Potential penalties include up to 10 years in prison for each murder-for-hire and conspiracy charge, and up to 20 years for money laundering. The final sentence will be determined by the U.S. court.

Attorney General Jack Clayton emphasized that the message to all extremists, including foreign agents, is clear: the U.S. will protect its citizens and hold perpetrators accountable.

The investigation involved the FBI, DEA, and other international agencies. At least one additional suspect named in the case remains at large.