Share this @internewscast.com

Federal prosecutors on Wednesday announced charges against a man they said was “recruited” by an Indian government employee to assassinate a Sikh activist in New York City.

Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30 on murder-for-hire charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York said in a news release.

Gupta is accused of trying to hire a hit man to kill an attorney and political activist who is a U.S. citizen of Indian origin. The purported hitman Gupta allegedly tried to hire was an undercover officer with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

“The dedicated law enforcement agents and prosecutors in this case foiled and exposed a dangerous plot to assassinate a U.S. citizen on U.S. soil,” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said in a statement. “The Department of Justice will be relentless in using the full reach of our authorities to pursue accountability for lethal plotting emanating from overseas.”

The unidentified Indian government employee allegedly contacted Gupta in May to orchestrate the assassination, according to a superseding indictment unsealed Wednesday.  

Gupta allegedly reached out to someone he believed was a criminal associate for assistance with finding a hitman, prosecutors said, noting that the person Gupta reached out to was a source working with the DEA.

The DEA source connected Gupta to the undercover DEA officer who pretended to be a hitman, the indictment stated.

The Indian government employee gave Gupta information about the victim, including phone numbers, the victim’s day-to-day conduct and the victim’s home address in New York City. The government employee offered to pay $100,000 for the assassination, according to the indictment.

“Gupta directed the [purported hitman] to carry out the murder as soon as possible, but Gupta also specifically instructed the [purported hitman] not to commit the murder around the time of anticipated engagements scheduled to occur in the ensuing weeks between high-level U.S. and Indian government officials,” the news release stated.

On June 18, Hardeep Singh Nijjaran, an associate of the victim, was killed by masked gunmen outside of a Sikh temple in British Columbia, Canada, prosecutors said. The following day, Gupta allegedly told the purported hitman that Nijjaran “was also the target” and said they had many other targets, according to prosecutors. Gupta also told the purported hitman that because of Nijjaran’s murder, there was no need to wait to kill the victim, according to prosecutors.

The victim was not named in the court documents. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the target is “a vocal critic of the Indian government” and leads a U.S.-based organization that advocates for the secession of Punjab, home to a large population of Sikhs.

“The Victim has publicly called for some or all of Punjab to secede from India and establish a Sikh sovereign state called Khalistan, and the Indian government has banned the Victim and his separatist organization from India,” prosecutors said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Massive 40-foot whale carcass washes up on NYC beach

Giant 40-Foot Whale Found on New York Beach: Uncover the Mystery

In a remarkable sight, a colossal whale carcass, comparable in size to…
Lawyer for Boston cop facing manslaughter charge in on-duty shooting calls out DA’s ‘unprecedented’ move

Attorney Criticizes DA’s ‘Unprecedented’ Decision in Manslaughter Case Against Boston Officer Involved in On-Duty Shooting

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: The lawyer representing a Boston police officer, recently detained…
Coyotes roam LA streets, from Santa Monica to Playa del Rey

Unveiling LA’s Wild Side: Coyotes Take Over Streets from Santa Monica to Playa del Rey

In Southern California, coyote appearances are becoming more frequent within suburban areas,…
Uganda willing to fight in war alongside Israel, military chief says

Uganda Expresses Readiness to Support Israel in Conflict, Says Military Chief

In a bold declaration on Wednesday, Uganda’s military leader expressed his nation’s…
North Carolina woman who vanished 24 years ago tearfully reunites with daughter outside court

Emotional Reunion: North Carolina Woman Missing for 24 Years Reconnects with Daughter at Courthouse

A North Carolina woman who disappeared more than two decades ago has…
New Jersey middle school teacher charged with child sex assault after alleged sexual relationship with student

New Jersey Middle School Teacher Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault of Student

A former middle school educator from New Jersey has been taken into…
Savannah Guthrie reveals new details in mom’s disappearance that don’t add up as questions haunt case: expert

Unraveling Mystery: Savannah Guthrie Uncovers Intriguing Clues in Mother’s Disappearance Case

An experienced law enforcement veteran is voicing significant concerns regarding the handling…
Doctor’s bloodied wife seen in bodycam after screaming for help from husband’s alleged attack

Shocking Bodycam Footage: Doctor’s Wife Pleads for Help Amid Alleged Domestic Assault

Police bodycam shows bloodied wife after alleged trail attack Jurors were presented…
Los Angeles schools accused of quietly funding race-based programming for Black students only

Allegations Surface of Los Angeles Schools Discreetly Supporting Race-Specific Initiatives for Black Students

An education oversight organization has called on the Department of Education’s Office…
Bryan Kohberger caught in casual conversation with DMV worker about murders he committed

Bryan Kohberger’s Shocking DMV Encounter: Casual Chat on His Own Murders Unveiled

Recently unveiled surveillance footage reveals Bryan Kohberger entering a Washington Department of…
Brother, sister indicted in connection to 'improvised explosive' found at MacDill AFB

Siblings Charged in MacDill AFB Improvised Explosive Case: Breaking Details Revealed

Just two days after allegedly planting an explosive device, federal authorities report…
DHS arrests 5 illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes including manslaughter, child assault

Homeland Security Crackdown: 5 Convicted Immigrants Arrested for Violent Crimes, Including Manslaughter and Child Assault

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently disclosed that Immigration and Customs…