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 planning the murder of Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, was scheduled to begin trial in New York City on Monday. Prosecutors have indicated that they intend to introduce new evidence, including wiretaps and video footage, regarding the killing of Pannun’s associate, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Surrey, B.C., in 2023.
Gupta, who has expressed a desire to represent himself, requested the trial delay due to his dissatisfaction with his court-appointed attorney. He accused his lawyer of unprofessional behavior and fraudulent conduct, leading to the appointment of a new public defender, David Touger. Despite the change in legal representation, Gupta remains adamant about representing himself during the trial.
While Gupta is not directly implicated in the plot to assassinate Nijjar, U.S. prosecutors have indicated their intention to explore the connections between the alleged Pannun conspiracy and the group responsible for Nijjar’s death. The court filing suggests a link between the two incidents through an unindicted co-conspirator, Vikash Yadav, formerly associated with the Indian intelligence agency R&AW. Prosecutors plan to present wiretapped conversations between Gupta and a confidential informant, as well as recordings of discussions between Gupta and an undercover federal agent posing as a hitman.
The trial has the potential to reignite controversy surrounding India’s involvement in the Nijjar killing and could complicate diplomatic relations between India and Canada. The evidence to be presented may challenge India’s assertion that Yadav acted independently and was not part of a broader government conspiracy. The trial, now rescheduled for a later date pending a pre-trial conference, is expected to shed more light on the alleged murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by Gupta and his associates.