A US federal court in New York has postponed the sentencing of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national who has pleaded guilty in a murder-for-hire conspiracy case involving an alleged plot to assassinate Sikh activist and Khalistan movement leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Gupta was earlier scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, but court records indicate that his request for adjournment was accepted in April, and his sentencing has now been rescheduled for September 25.Prosecutors expect him to receive a prison term of at least 19 years.

According to US authorities, Gupta admitted his role in a conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by an Indian government employee linked to the cabinet secretariat.The case stems from accusations that Gupta was recruited in 2023 to help arrange the killing of Pannun in New York.

Prosecutors claim Gupta attempted to coordinate with individuals he believed to be criminal associates, who were in fact undercover agents working with the US Drug Enforcement Administration.He was allegedly introduced to an undercover officer posing as a contract killer.

Authorities further allege that Gupta and his co-conspirators discussed payment of around $100,000 for the assassination, and that an advance of $15,000 was delivered in cash.The plot also reportedly included surveillance details about the target’s residence and routine.Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic in June 2023 and later extradited to the United States.US prosecutors have described the case as an attempt to silence a critic on American soil involving a foreign government-linked actor.India, however, has repeatedly denied any official involvement, stating that Gupta is a private individual with no ties to government agencies.The alleged co-conspirator, identified by US authorities as Vikash Yadav, has also been charged but has not been arrested.The case continues to draw diplomatic attention as both sides maintain conflicting positions on the alleged state involvement.Gupta’s sentencing in September is expected to be closely watched given the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the allegations.