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
Multiple Airspace Violations Over Trump's NJ Golf Course, Fighter Pilots Had to Use 'Headbutt Maneuver'

Several Airspace Breaches Occur Above Trump’s New Jersey Golf Course, Fighter Pilots Implement ‘Headbutt Maneuver’

During President Donald Trump’s July 4 weekend visit to Bedminster, New Jersey,…
House where two children lived in Lauriano, Italy.

Significant Development in Heartbreaking ‘Ghost Children’ Case: Siblings, Ages 9 and 6, Discovered in Forest Wearing Diapers and Nonverbal

TWO “ghost” kids found living in squalor in the woods unable to…
Why Mets' Pete Alonso decided not to participate in Home Run Derby

Why Pete Alonso of the Mets Chose to Skip the Home Run Derby

Pete Alonso will be in the All-Star Game, but he won’t be…
A Vermont dairy farm was raided. The mixed messages from Washington since then have increased fears

Mixed Messages from Washington Heighten Concerns Following Vermont Dairy Farm Raid

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — After six 12-hour shifts milking cows, José Molina-Aguilar’s…
Photo of Erin Patterson.

Prison Kitchen Incident: Erin Patterson Accused of Tampering with Food, Sickening Fellow Inmate

Erin Patterson, known as the “mushroom murderer,” has been accused of meddling…
Texas school gathers supplies to help flood-impacted locals after spotlight moves on

Texas School Collects Supplies to Support Flood-Affected Community After Media Spotlight Shifts

As families in the Texas Hill Country struggle with the aftermath of…
'Love Island USA' star Cierra Ortega exits show after racist posts resurface

‘Love Island USA’ Contestant Cierra Ortega Departs Show Following Revival of Racist Social Media Posts

Not so lovely.  “Love Island USA” star Cierra Ortega, 25, made a…
Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus activists faces federal trial

Federal Trial Challenges Trump Administration’s Measures Against Pro-Palestinian Campus Activists

BOSTON (AP) — A federal bench trial is set to commence on…
Stream It Or Skip It?

Watch It or Pass?

While it’s unclear when “cozy mysteries” became a popular term, it’s widely…
Father outraged after discovering daughter's alleged killer should have been behind bars years ago

Father Furious to Learn Daughter’s Suspected Killer Was Supposed to Be Imprisoned Long Ago

A father, already in mourning, became more outraged after discovering that the…
After setback to Iran's nuclear program, Trump expected to leverage military support in Netanyahu meeting

Following a Blow to Iran’s Nuclear Efforts, Trump Anticipated to Use Military Backing in Talks with Netanyahu

Hamas indicates a willingness to consider a ceasefire with Israel, as reported…
Woman being interviewed in front of a red car.

Erin Patterson, Dubbed the “Mushroom Cook,” Convicted of Fatally Poisoning In-laws with Deathcap Mushrooms at Lunch

THE infamous “mushroom cook” has been found guilty of murdering her in-laws…