by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 13 – Back in late 2023 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 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 U.S. citizen in NYC - reportedly Sikh Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
Czech authorities arrested and detained Gupta in Prague’s Pankrac prison.
On June 17, 2024, Gupta was presented in the SDNY Magistrates Court. Inner City Press thread
On June 28, with Khalistan protesters out on Worth Street, Gupta was produced by US Marshals before Judge Victor Marrero. Inner City Press was there - thread
On October 17, the US unsealed a second superseding indictment naming a government official, at large, as co-defendant: Indian government employee VIKASH YADAV, a/k/a “Vikas,” YADAV is at large."
On October 18, Inner City Press live tweeted - and later asked Sikhs demonstrating on Worth Street why Modi security official Ajit Doval did not come to the US for the UN General Assembly... Thread
On October 25, Gupta's lawyer wrote in that he is no longer being paid and asks to withdraw from the case. Letter on Patreon here.
On October 31, in the SDNY Magistrates Court, the change was effectuated - and Inner City Press was the only media there, thread
On February 25, the US Attorney's Office filed this: "The Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic has since advised DOJ that no waiver of the rule of specialty is necessary.. the Government intends to proceed to trial on Count Three." Filing on Patreon here
On October 17, another change of plea hearing for Gupta was set: "ORDER as to (23-Cr-289-1) Nikhil Gupta. The Court will hold a substitution of counsel hearing in this matter on October 21.
Inner City Press went. Thread:
All rise! Judge: Mr Gupta says there has been a breakdown with his appointed counsel [from Milbank] Trial is set for Nov 3. Do you wish to change? Gupta (in English) Yes, Your Honor.
Judge: You are relieved. [Three from Milbank leave] New counsel: I'll need to adjourn the trial into 2026. Judge: How about December? CJA: I cannot.
AUSA: For the record, we made a plea offer on October 14. It expired on October 15.
On February 13, 2026 with very short notice from the US Attorney's Office, Gupta pled guilty in the SDNY Magistrates Court. Inner City Press ran there and live tweeted:
Chief Magistrate Judge Netburn: The government has provided your counsel with a Pimintel letter, estimating the sentencing guidelines
Judge: How do you plead to the 3 counts? Gupta: Guilty. Judge: Tell me what you did. Gupta: In the Spring in 2023, I agreed with another person to murder a person in the US. I delivered $15,000 in cash by phone to a person in the US.
Judge: At the time you paid, you were in India? Gupta: Yes. AUSA: Ask him where he understood where the victim was, and where the payment was received? Judge: OK. Where? Gupta: In the US - in the Manhattan, according to the Government documents.
Judge: And the person targeted? Gupta: In the US. In Queens, especially. Judge: What evidence does the US have? AUSA: Testimony from a confidential source, an undercover officer who operated at the would-be hitman
AUSA: WhatsApp and text messages, bank records, video of the cash payment made to the undercover agent. Judge: I accept your guilty plea.
Judge: Has Judge Marrero set a sentencing date? AUSA: No. Judge: Control date May 15
More on February 13 courtroom on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
Previously, more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Gupta, et al., 1:23-cr-289 (Marrero)
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