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In letter to US judge, Nikhil Gupta says he planned Pannun op alone

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Nikhil Gupta submitted a formal letter to US District Judge Victor Marrero expressing deep regret and taking sole responsibility for the alleged early 2023 assassination plot. He explained that personal difficulties and alcohol abuse severely impaired his decision-making at the time. Gupta also recounted his harsh experiences during confinement in both the Czech Republic and a Brooklyn detention facility, where he coped with suicidal thoughts and isolation through spiritual practices. Meanwhile, prosecutors have asked that the target, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, be granted 20 minutes to address the courtroom directly at sentencing.

Key points

  • Nikhil Gupta claimed full independent responsibility for the alleged assassination attemp…: Nikhil Gupta claimed full independent responsibility for the alleged assassination attempt while asking the judge for mercy.
  • The defendant attributed his past actions to impaired judgment resulting from heavy alcoh…: The defendant attributed his past actions to impaired judgment resulting from heavy alcohol consumption and extreme personal struggles.
  • Gupta confirmed he is prepared to accept whatever legal judgment the court decides to del…: Gupta confirmed he is prepared to accept whatever legal judgment the court decides to deliver at his sentencing.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

NEW DELHI: Nikhil Gupta, facing trial in an assassination attempt probe in US, has indicated that he was acting alone and apologised in a remorseful letter to US district judge Victor Marrero ahead of his Nov 20 sentencing. Gupta also opened up about his psychological turmoil following his initial arrest, admitting he did not recognise the person he had become in early 2023.

"I had lost my mind... wish I could turn back time to 2023 and undo my mistakes," Gupta wrote in the letter, describing how heavy drinking and personal struggles clouded his judgement. He revealed that he faced severe suicidal thoughts during his early days in custody, constantly worrying about the agonising pain he had caused his wife, children, mother, family and two cats.

Detailing his time in detention including solitary confinement in Czech Republic and subsequent placement at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, Gupta described turning toward meditation, yoga, and spiritual books to cope with isolation and the constant threats of violence from fellow inmates.

"The most serious challenge in front of me at that time was…

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