NEW YORK: The Sikh Coalition has issued a strong call for broader accountability following the guilty plea of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot against a prominent U.S.-based Sikh activist.
On Friday, February 13, Gupta pleaded guilty to three counts including murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. These charges stem from a November 2023 indictment alleging his participation in a conspiracy to assassinate a U.S. citizen on American soil.
A Step Toward Justice, But Not the End
Following the court proceedings, the Sikh Coalition emphasized that while the plea marks progress, the scope of the conspiracy demands further scrutiny of those who directed Gupta.
“Gupta’s guilty plea is the first significant step towards justice that we’ve seen since the plot to assassinate Sikhs on U.S. soil was revealed more than two years ago,” the Sikh Coalition stated. “As important as this development is, however, it is equally critical to recognize that he was not alone. In the words of the FBI, Gupta acted ‘at the direction and coordination of an Indian government employee.’”
Demanding High-Level Accountability
The advocacy group highlighted the stance taken by federal prosecutors, urging that the warning issued to foreign actors must extend to state officials involved in the plot.
“Speaking on Gupta’s plea, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton wrote that ‘Our message to all nefarious foreign actors should be clear: steer clear of the United States and our people,’” the organization noted. “This strong stance is correct—and it must apply to any senior officials in the Indian government who were aware of, aiding, or directing this campaign of violence against Sikhs.”
Addressing Transnational Repression
The guilty plea has renewed focus on the issue of transnational repression and the diplomatic tensions it has sparked. The Sikh Coalition concluded its statement by calling on the U.S. government to take a firm stand against foreign interference.
“We need concrete and high-level action to clarify to India—along with allies and adversaries around the world—that the U.S. government will not tolerate transnational repression nor the infringement on sovereignty and national security that it represents.”
Nikhil Gupta’s sentencing is expected to follow, though attention now turns to how U.S. agencies will address the alleged involvement of Indian government employees referenced in the indictment.
