Archive · 12 Aug 2026
US court delays Nikhil Gupta sentencing to November 20
A man named Nikhil Gupta planned to have another man killed.
The other man is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist leader.
Mr. Gupta went to court in the United States and said he was guilty of the plan.
A judge was supposed to decide his punishment on September 25.
But the man who was the target asked the court to wait.
He wanted to be at the hearing, but he was going to be out of the country on that day.
So the judge moved the hearing to November 20.
Mr. Gupta could go to prison for up to 10 years for each of two charges and up to 20 years for another.
He was arrested in the Czech Republic and later brought to the United States.
A US federal court has deferred Nikhil Gupta's sentencing to November 20 after rescheduling it from September 25.
The delay followed a request from the 'intended murder victim', who wishes to participate in the sentencing and will be out of the country on the original date.
Judge Victor Marrero granted the request, setting the new hearing for November 20 at 10 am.
Gupta pleaded guilty on February 13 to murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30, 2023, and extradited to the US a year later.
- Who
- Nikhil Gupta, who pleaded guilty to plotting the assassination of Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun; Judge Victor Marrero presided.
- What
- Gupta's sentencing in the murder-for-hire conspiracy case was deferred to November 20.
- When
- Originally scheduled for September 25; rescheduled for November 20 at 10 am.
- Where
- US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
- Why
- The intended murder victim requested the adjournment so he could participate in the sentencing, as he would be out of the country on the original date.
Victim Participation
Prosecution Scheduling
Sentencing Delay
Victim Participation
The intended murder victim should be able to participate in the sentencing, so the hearing should be adjourned until he is available.
Prosecution Scheduling
The court accepted the victim's request and rescheduled the sentencing to November 20 so he can attend.
- Court
- US District Court for the Southern District of New York
- Defendant
- Nikhil Gupta
- Alleged Target
- Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (identified by his counsel; unnamed in court filings)
- Guilty Plea
- Entered February 13 on all three counts
- Charges
- Murder-for-hire; conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire; conspiracy to commit money laundering
- Sentencing Dates
- Original: September 25; rescheduled to November 20 at 10 am
- Presiding Judge
- Victor Marrero
- Maximum Sentences
- 10 years (murder-for-hire), 10 years (conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire), 20 years (conspiracy to commit money laundering)
- Arrest and Extradition
- Arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30, 2023; extradited to the US a year later
Sources
Gurpatwant Pannun Assassination Plot: US Court Delays Nikhil Gupta Sentencing To November 20
Pannun murder plot: US court to announce sentence on Nov 20
US court reschedules Nikhil Gupta sentencing in Pannun murder conspiracy case to November 20
US court defers Nikhil Gupta's sentencing in Pannun murder plot to November 20
