New Delhi : A very big and shocking development has come to light regarding the conspiracy of Pannu murder case in Manhattan, America. Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta has now officially confessed before the US Federal Court to his direct involvement in the failed attempt to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. This high-profile case has not only increased the legal complexities, but has also brought the extremely delicate diplomatic relations between India, the US and Canada back into the spotlight.
confessed his crime in court
According to information provided by the US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, 54-year-old Nikhil Gupta appeared in court on Friday and pleaded guilty to serious charges of murder for hire and an elaborate conspiracy, as well as money laundering. This is not the first time that he has admitted his guilt, earlier in June 2024 also he had made a similar admission in the Federal Court. Now he has officially approved the plan to eliminate Pannu.
The roots of international dispute lie in June 2023
The roots of this entire international controversy are hidden in June 2023, when the conspiracy to murder Pannu was suddenly exposed and Nikhil Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic. After mutual cooperation with American intelligence and security agencies, he was extradited from there to America so that fair legal proceedings could proceed. According to Reuters report, there was a serious allegation against Gupta that he was planning to murder a citizen on American soil while sitting abroad.
Official stand of Government of India
US prosecutors had claimed in their official charge sheet that Nikhil Gupta was in direct contact with a very senior intelligence officer of the Indian government and was working on his secret instructions. However, New Delhi has rejected all these serious allegations from the very beginning. The Government of India clearly says that it has no role in any such conspiracy as it is completely contrary to the sovereignty and official policy of the country.
Pannu and Nijjar’s deep connection
Government lawyers had also alleged in their arguments that Nikhil Gupta was planning to target not only Pannu but also other Sikh separatist leaders abroad. In this, reference has also been made to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a temple in Western Canada in June 2023. Pannu, who has been declared a terrorist by India, has dual citizenship of the US and Canada. This conspiracy spoiled India’s relations with western countries.
may have to face a long prison sentence
Nikhil Gupta is currently in strict prison custody in America without any bail. His confession is a strong indication that he may have to face a very long prison sentence in the future. The US claims that it had hired a killer on the alleged orders of former Indian intelligence agency officer Vikas Yadav. Now the eyes of the whole world are fixed on the next hearing of this case and the announcement of the final punishment because it will have a deep diplomatic impact.
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