US charges Indian national in plot to kill a Sikh separatist in New York

New York: An Indian national was charged by federal prosecutors in connection with his participation in a foiled plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist in the USA.

Nikhil Gupta, 52, has been charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

US authorities said Gupta agreed to pay an assassin USD 100,000 to kill the Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.

"On or about June 9, 2023, CC-1 and Gupta arranged for an associate to deliver USD 15,000 in cash to the UC in Manhattan, New York, as an advance payment," the charges said.

In about May 2023, Gupta was recruited by an individual to orchestrate the assassination of the victim. (PTI)