A US federal court has moved the sentencing of Indian national Nikhil Gupta to November 20, 2026, in the murder-for-hire case involving Sikh separatist activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
The sentencing had previously been scheduled for September 25. Prosecutors requested a postponement because the intended victim wanted to attend the hearing and address the court but was expected to be outside the country on the original date. Gupta’s defence did not oppose the request, and US District Judge Victor Marrero scheduled the hearing for 10 a.m. on November 20.
Gupta, 54, pleaded guilty on February 13 to murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The first two offences each carry a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison, while the money-laundering conspiracy carries a maximum of 20 years. These are statutory limits and should not be interpreted as Gupta’s final sentence, which will be determined by the court.
US authorities have publicly identified Pannun, a dual US–Canadian citizen, as the intended target. Gupta admitted participating in a plan in which a person believed to be a contract killer was actually connected to US law enforcement.
The revised date affects only the timing of the sentencing. It does not change Gupta’s guilty plea or the status of the case.
