WASHINGTON: A US federal indictment has laid out detailed allegations of a plot to assassinate Sikh separatist figure Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York, naming Indian national Nikhil Gupta as a key operative and identifying an unnamed Indian government official, referred to as “CC1,” as an alleged coordinator.
The charges were filed by the United States Department of Justice in the Southern District of New York. Prosecutors allege that Gupta worked with CC1, described in court documents as a senior Indian government security and intelligence official, to arrange the killing.
Key figures in the indictment
Shekhar Gupta, a veteran Indian journalist and founder and editor-in-chief of ThePrint, said on his daily show Cut the Clutter that the US indictment lays out a detailed chronology of the alleged plot.
According to him, outlining details from the indictment, Gupta allegedly sought to hire a contract killer in the United States. He is accused of contacting an individual involved in narcotics trafficking in New York — identified in court filings as “CS” (Confidential Source). Unbeknownst to Gupta, the individual was a confidential informant for the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
After being approached, the informant alerted US authorities. Prosecutors say the DEA then deployed an undercover officer, identified as “UC” (Undercover), to pose as a hired assassin.
The indictment alleges that extensive communications followed between Gupta, the confidential source, and the undercover officer, including phone calls, text messages, and video exchanges. US authorities say these communications were recorded, despite being conducted through encrypted messaging applications.
Alleged direction from India
Court documents state that CC1, who is not publicly named, was based in India and directed the plot from there. The indictment describes CC1 as someone employed by the Indian government in a senior field role with responsibilities in security management and intelligence. It also references prior service in India’s Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
US prosecutors allege that CC1 communicated regularly with Gupta and provided assurances that the legal troubles Gupta faced in the Indian state of Gujarat would be resolved if the operation succeeded.
According to the indictment, messages exchanged in early May included discussions of multiple targets in the United States. Prosecutors further claim that phone and email records place CC1 in and around Delhi during the relevant period.
Money trail and surveillance
The indictment also references two additional unnamed individuals, identified as “Individual 1” and “Individual 2.” Prosecutors allege that one arranged payment to the undercover officer, while the other physically handed over cash in New York. US authorities say photographic evidence of the cash exchange was collected as part of the investigation.
The timeline presented in the indictment suggests that US authorities began tracking communications in early May, after the confidential source alerted law enforcement.
Broader implications
The case has raised diplomatic sensitivities between Washington and New Delhi. While the US has publicly described India as a key strategic partner, the indictment alleges the involvement of an Indian government official in a murder-for-hire conspiracy on American soil.
India has previously denied involvement in similar allegations and has said it takes such matters seriously.
Legal experts note that the case hinges on electronic communications, informant testimony, and surveillance evidence. The proceedings are ongoing in the Southern District of New York.
The indictment marks one of the most serious allegations in recent years concerning cross-border assassination plots and could carry broader geopolitical ramifications depending on how the case develops.
