USA's 'murder-for-hire' shock: Indian accused Nikhil Gupta pleads guilty, faces 40 years in prison?

Indian national Nikhil Gupta has pleaded guilty in a Manhattan federal court to charges linked to an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting Khalistan separatist leader and U.S. citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, U.S. authorities said. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, said Gupta “plotted to assassinate a U.S. citizen in New York City” and warned “nefarious foreign actors” to “steer clear of the United States,” while the FBI said it will pursue anyone who tries to harm U.S. citizens. Reports said Gupta admitted paying an advance of $15,000 to an individual he believed was a hitman, and he is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29 by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, with the three charges carrying a combined maximum of 40 years.