Nikhil Gupta forfeits $15,000, two phones in US murder-for-hire case
Synopsis
Nikhil Gupta, already convicted on three counts including murder-for-hire conspiracy, has now formally surrendered $15,000 in cash and two phones seized in New York and the Czech Republic. The case — linked to an alleged plot targeting a Sikh separatist figure in the US — continues to strain diplomatic attention in both Washington and New Delhi.
Key Takeaways
Nikhil Gupta agreed to forfeit $15,000 in cash and two mobile phones under a consent order signed on 23 April 2026 .
Gupta pleaded guilty on 13 February 2026 to all three counts: murder-for-hire conspiracy, murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The $15,000 was seized near East 27th Street and 11th Avenue, New York on or about 9 June 2023 .
An iPhone 11 Pro Max and a Vivo Y56 5G were seized by Czech law enforcement in the Czech Republic on or about 30 June 2023 .
Gupta is jointly and severally liable with co-defendant Vikash Yadav for the money judgment.
Nikhil Gupta, who pleaded guilty to a murder-for-hire conspiracy in the United States earlier this year, has agreed to forfeit $15,000 in cash and two mobile phones to the US government under a consent preliminary order filed in a federal court in New York. The order, signed by US District Judge Victor Marrero on 23 April 2026, formalises the asset surrender tied to Gupta's guilty plea on 13 February 2026.
What the Forfeiture Order Covers
The consent order directed Gupta to a money judgment of $15,000, described as
Point of View
But the case it stems from is anything but routine. An Indian national convicted of conspiring to assassinate a Sikh separatist on US soil represents one of the most diplomatically sensitive criminal matters between Washington and New Delhi in recent memory. The joint-and-several liability clause linking Gupta to co-defendant Vikash Yadav — reportedly a figure with alleged Indian government connections — means this case is far from closed. What happens next with Yadav's proceedings will be the real diplomatic litmus test.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nikhil Gupta and what did he plead guilty to?
Nikhil Gupta is an Indian national who pleaded guilty on 13 February 2026 to three counts in a US federal indictment: murder-for-hire conspiracy, murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The case is linked to an alleged plot targeting a Sikh separatist figure in the United States.
What assets has Nikhil Gupta agreed to forfeit?
Gupta has agreed to forfeit $15,000 in US currency seized in New York on or about 9 June 2023, along with an iPhone 11 Pro Max and a Vivo Y56 5G cellphone seized by Czech authorities on or about 30 June 2023. All assets have been transferred to US custody.
Who is co-defendant Vikash Yadav in this case?
Vikash Yadav is named as a co-defendant in the indictment. Under the forfeiture order, Gupta is jointly and severally liable with Yadav for the $15,000 money judgment, to the extent a forfeiture judgment is also entered against Yadav.
Why has the case drawn attention in India and the US?
The case involves allegations linked to an alleged plot targeting a Sikh separatist figure on US soil, raising significant diplomatic concerns between Washington and New Delhi. US authorities accused Gupta of working with others in connection with the planned killing.
What happens next after the forfeiture order?
The US Marshals Service is authorised to take possession of the forfeited property and deposit payments into the Assets Forfeiture Fund. The government must also publish forfeiture notices for at least 30 consecutive days and notify potential third-party claimants. Prosecutors may seek substitute assets if the judgment remains uncollected.
