Indian Man Charged in US Murder-for-Hire Plot Targeting Sikh Activist

US federal prosecutors have charged an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, in an alleged murder-for-hire plot to assassinate a Sikh political activist in New York City. Gupta, along with an unnamed Indian official, set up a meeting with an undercover officer posing as a hitman to target the victim, who is described as an attorney and vocal critic of the Indian government. The victim is believed to be Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of "Sikhs for Justice." Gupta has been charged with murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire. The case highlights tensions between the US and India, as another Sikh separatist was recently assassinated in Canada, with the Canadian government linking India to the murder.