The trial for a man accused of orchestrating assassinations on behalf of the Indian government in New York has been postponed. Nikhil (Nick) Gupta, who is facing charges related to drug and arms smuggling, was set to go on trial in New York City. The allegations against Gupta include a conspiracy with Indian government officials and the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) to plot the murder of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh activist designated as a terrorist by the Indian government.
Prosecutors in the case have filed pre-trial motions indicating their intent to present new evidence, such as wiretaps and videos, related to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian deputy of Pannun, in Surrey, B.C. This development could reignite discussions about India’s role in the Nijjar incident and introduce fresh evidence linking Indian authorities, potentially complicating diplomatic relations between India and Canada.
Gupta, who has expressed a desire to represent himself at trial, requested the delay after raising concerns about his court-appointed lawyer. He alleged that his attorney had not vigorously defended his case and accused him of unprofessional behavior. The trial delay was granted by Senior U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, with a pre-trial conference scheduled for November 14 to determine a new trial date. Although a new public defender, David Touger, has been assigned to Gupta, he maintains his preference to act as his own legal representative.
While Gupta is not directly implicated in the plot to assassinate Nijjar, U.S. prosecutors intend to explore the connections between the alleged conspiracy involving Pannun and the group responsible for Nijjar’s death. The court documents mention an unindicted co-conspirator, Vikash Yadav, formerly associated with R&AW, as a key figure linking the two incidents. Wiretapped conversations between Gupta and individuals involved in the plot, as well as recordings of interactions with an undercover federal agent posing as a hitman, are expected to be presented as evidence during the trial.
The Modi government has acknowledged Yadav’s involvement in the conspiracy but denies broader government complicity. Despite India’s denial of any role in the Nijjar killing, the evidence to be presented in court could challenge India’s efforts to separate the two cases. Prosecutors claim to possess wiretap evidence showing Gupta sharing a video of Nijjar’s killing with a supposed hitman shortly after the incident, instructing him to target Pannun in New York.