The United States government has sought 20 minutes for Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to address a federal court during the sentencing of Indian national Nikhil Gupta in an alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy case. Prosecutors have also indicated that they intend to present audio and video evidence during the hearing scheduled for November 20 in New York.
In a letter dated November 6, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York informed the court that a single victim-witness would make a statement lasting approximately 20 minutes. Although the court documents do not officially identify the individual by name, Pannun has publicly identified himself as the intended target of the alleged assassination plot.
Prosecutors have additionally proposed presenting audio and video material lasting around 15 minutes as part of the sentencing proceedings. The government has estimated that approximately 200 spectators could attend the hearing, raising the possibility that an additional courtroom may be required to accommodate the expected gathering.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 20 at 10 am before US District Judge Victor Marrero. The proceedings were earlier postponed from September 25 after prosecutors informed the court that the intended victim wanted to attend and exercise his right to be heard but would be unavailable on the original date.
Nikhil Gupta, 54, pleaded guilty on February 13, 2026, to three charges: murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He admitted in court that he had agreed with another individual to arrange the murder of a person in the United States and had delivered $15,000 as an advance payment.
According to the US indictment, Gupta allegedly worked with Vikash Yadav, whom American investigators have identified as a former Indian government employee, to arrange Pannun's killing in New York in 2023. Prosecutors alleged that Gupta approached an individual he believed could arrange a contract killing, but that person was actually cooperating with US law enforcement. An undercover officer subsequently posed as the hired assassin.
The case has attracted considerable international attention because of its potential implications for India-US relations. New Delhi has previously rejected allegations of involvement by Indian government officials and has maintained that such activities are contrary to government policy.
Gupta faces a maximum statutory sentence of 40 years across the three charges, although the actual punishment will be determined by the judge.
Pannun's proposed statement and the presentation of audio-visual evidence are expected to be significant elements of the November 20 hearing.
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