An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, has pleaded guilty to a murder-for-hire scheme aimed at a US-based Sikh separatist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, founder of Sikhs for Justice. The case was announced by the US Office for the Southern District of New York, which indicated that Gupta attempted to pay $15,000 to a hitman to carry out the assassination in Manhattan. Pannun is known for his advocacy for the creation of an independent Sikh state called Khalistan, a position that is labeled as terrorism by the Indian government.

US Attorney Jay Clayton highlighted the serious nature of Gupta's actions, which involved plotting a political assassination within the United States. The Justice Department underscores that such attempts to silence dissenting voices, particularly those utilizing their right to free speech, will not be tolerated. Gupta was apprehended in June 2023 in the Czech Republic and subsequently extradited to the US to face a formal charge.

The implications of this case extend beyond Gupta's immediate actions; it raises concerns about the lengths to which foreign actors may go to influence or intimidate political dissidents living in the US. The Sikh separatist movement and its advocates are often met with opposition from the Indian government, which views their activities as a threat to national unity. This case may serve as a precedent, reinforcing legal boundaries against international threats to free speech and political expression on American soil.