Nikhil Gupta, a 53-year-old Indian national, is accused of orchestrating a conspiracy to murder Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh separatist, who was shot dead outside a temple in Surrey, British Columbia, escalating diplomatic tensions between Canada and India.

Nijjar was reportedly among several targets on Gupta's list, which included individuals in both the U.S. and Canada, underscoring the international implications of this case.

U.S. authorities had been monitoring Gupta's activities closely, leading to his arrest after he attempted to hire a hitman in New York, offering $100,000 for the assassination.

The allegations surrounding Gupta's arrest have raised alarms about violent transnational repression aimed at diaspora communities, a concern echoed by U.S. officials.

Vikash Yadav, identified as Amanat, is a senior officer in India's intelligence agency and is accused of coordinating the murder-for-hire operation and identifying potential targets.

Following his arrest, Gupta reportedly confessed in a police van, indicating a willingness to cooperate with U.S. authorities and claiming he was recruited by Amanat for the assassination plot.

The case has revealed an alleged plot by Indian intelligence to target Sikh separatists in Canada and the U.S., with Gupta's arrest in Prague on June 30, 2023, marking a significant development.

Gupta's legal team is contesting the validity of the evidence obtained during his arrest and initial interrogation, asserting that his rights were violated and that the money laundering charge was improperly added post-arrest.

A Czech court ordered Gupta's extradition to the U.S., where he arrived in June 2024 and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.