26 February 2025: - U.S. Government Moves Forward with Money Laundering Charges Against Gupta in Federal Court

The United States government is proceeding with the prosecution of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of involvement in an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The latest court filing from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York confirms that Gupta will face trial on a charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Gupta was extradited from the Czech Republic to the United States, and the Justice Department initially sought a waiver of the "rule of specialty" from Czech authorities to prosecute him on the additional charge. However, the Czech Ministry of Justice determined that no such waiver was necessary, as the money laundering charge stems from the same facts that were part of the original extradition request.

The case has gained international attention due to its geopolitical implications. Gupta is alleged to have acted on behalf of Indian intelligence operatives, including Vikash Yadav, in a plot to assassinate Pannun, a U.S.-based leader of the Khalistan movement advocating for an independent Sikh state. The Biden administration previously raised concerns about Indian involvement in the case, contributing to diplomatic tensions between Washington and New Delhi.

With the prosecution now moving forward under the Trump administration, the case is expected to remain a focal point in U.S.-India relations. The trial on the money laundering charge will take place in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, where Gupta remains in federal custody.

The case is being handled by Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky and a team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, who have reiterated the government’s commitment to prosecuting foreign interference and criminal activities on American soil.

The trial proceedings could further impact diplomatic relations between the United States and India, as Washington continues to scrutinize allegations of extraterritorial operations conducted by Indian intelligence agencies.