Indian national Nikhil Gupta has told a United States judge that he acted alone in the alleged plot to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York, taking full responsibility for his part in a murder-for-hire scheme that prosecutors say reached into the Indian government. In a personal letter filed on Friday, November 13, 2026, ahead of his sentencing on November 20, Gupta wrote that he had "lost my mind" and wished he could turn back time to 2023 and undo his mistakes.

Key Points

• Nikhil Gupta told Judge Victor Marrero he acted alone in the alleged plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, and takes full responsibility.
• The letter, filed November 13, 2026 as Document 157-1, comes ahead of Gupta's sentencing on November 20, 2026.
• Prosecutors seek 293 months, just over 24 years; Gupta's lawyers seek 144 months, or 12 years, in line with a Probation Department recommendation.
• Gupta pleaded guilty in February 2026 to murder-for-hire, conspiracy and money laundering, and described heavy drinking and suicidal thoughts after his arrest.
• Prosecutors asked that Pannun, a US citizen and legal counsel for Sikhs for Justice, be allowed 20 minutes to address the court at sentencing.

What Happened

Gupta's letter was filed on Friday, November 13, 2026, seven days before his sentencing, as Document 157-1 in Case No. 1:23-cr-00289-VM before Judge Marrero in the Southern District of New York. In it, he says he acted alone, accepts full responsibility, and will accept whatever sentence the court imposes.

Gupta wrote that he had "lost my mind" and wishes he could turn back time to 2023 and undo his mistakes. He described drinking heavily almost every night, psychological turmoil and suicidal thoughts after his arrest, and months in solitary confinement.

Gupta pleaded guilty on February 13, 2026, to murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and money laundering. The guidelines run from 235 to 293 months, with a combined maximum of 40 years. Prosecutors want the top of the range; the defence wants 144 months, and the judge is not bound by either request.

Background and Context

The case began with Gupta's arrest on June 30, 2023, in Prague. He was extradited to the United States in June 2024. US prosecutors allege he worked with an Indian government employee linked to Vikash Yadav, and that the plot was directed from India. New Delhi denies involvement.

Pannun is a US citizen and legal counsel for Sikhs for Justice, which campaigns for a separate Sikh state. The alleged plot was one of two such cases to surface in 2023; the other, in Canada, was the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which Ottawa linked to Indian agents.

The case has also spilled into the civil courts. Last week, a different federal judge ruled Pannun may serve his civil lawsuit on India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and former intelligence chief Samant Goel through Indian courts, a decision India rejected. Related coverage: Pannun Lawsuit: US Court Lets Service on India's NSA Doval via Delhi Courts.

The Nikhil Gupta Pannun Plot: What the Letter Reveals

The most important sentence in Gupta's letter is also the simplest: he says he acted alone. That matters because the prosecution's case rests on the opposite idea: that Gupta worked with an Indian government employee in a coordinated operation. It does not change his guilt, which he has admitted, but it could shape how the judge views his role and his sentence.

The letter also offers a window into Gupta's state of mind: heavy drinking almost every night, psychological turmoil and suicidal thoughts after his arrest, and months of solitary confinement. But it does not explain why he became involved, or who, if anyone, he worked with. It names no names and describes no mechanics, leaving the central question unanswered, at least in public.

Reactions and Quotes

Gupta's own words carry the letter: "I had lost my mind," he wrote, adding that he wishes he could turn back time to 2023 and undo his mistakes.

The prosecution's position is set out in its sentencing request: 293 months, the top of the guidelines range. Prosecutors have not publicly commented on Gupta's letter, but their request speaks for itself. They seek a sentence reflecting the gravity of a murder-for-hire plot against a US citizen, and have asked the court to hear from Pannun.

Gupta's lawyers seek 144 months, half of what the prosecution wants, matching the Probation Department's recommendation. They are likely to argue that his guilty plea, acceptance of responsibility and personal circumstances point to the lower end of the range. Pannun has not publicly responded to the letter.

Why It Matters

The sentence Judge Marrero imposes will be watched well beyond the courtroom. For the United States, the case is a test of how seriously the justice system treats a murder-for-hire plot against a US citizen, whatever the alleged involvement of a foreign government. A sentence at the top of the range would send a clear message.

For India, the case is a diplomatic problem that has never gone away. New Delhi denies the allegation, but it has shaped relations between the two countries for more than three years. If believed, Gupta's claim would undercut the prosecution's theory, but it would not resolve the diplomatic dispute.

What Happens Next

The sentencing hearing is set for November 20, 2026, before Judge Marrero in the Southern District of New York. Both sides will make their final arguments, Pannun is expected to address the court if the judge grants the prosecution's request for 20 minutes, and Gupta will have the opportunity to speak before the sentence is imposed.

Judge Marrero will then decide the sentence. He is not bound by the guidelines range of 235 to 293 months, nor by either side's request. After sentencing, Pannun's civil lawsuit will continue separately. Related coverage: Yella Beezy Convicted of Capital Murder in Mo3 Killing, Gets Life Without Parole.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Nikhil Gupta?
Nikhil Gupta is an Indian national who pleaded guilty in February 2026 to murder-for-hire, conspiracy and money laundering in a plot to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. He was arrested in Prague in June 2023 and extradited in June 2024.

What did Gupta say in his letter to the judge?
In a letter filed November 13, 2026, Gupta told Judge Victor Marrero he acted alone, takes full responsibility and wishes he could turn back time to 2023. He wrote that he had "lost my mind".

When is Nikhil Gupta being sentenced?
Gupta is due to be sentenced on November 20, 2026, in the Southern District of New York. Prosecutors seek 293 months, just over 24 years; his lawyers seek 144 months, or 12 years.

Who is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun?
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a US citizen and legal counsel for Sikhs for Justice. He was the intended target of the alleged plot, and prosecutors want him to have 20 minutes to address the court at sentencing.

Did Gupta work for the Indian government?
US prosecutors allege Gupta worked with an Indian government employee, but his letter says he acted alone. India has denied involvement, and the allegation remains disputed.