India on Thursday said that Arsh Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, who is considered a Khalistani terrorist by the government, is expected to be extradited or deported from Canada. A statement by Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India will be following up on an extradition request so that the "proclaimed offender" can face justice in India.
"In view of the recent arrest, our agencies will be following up on an extradition request. Given Arsh Dalla’s criminal record in India and his involvement in similar illegal activities in Canada, it is expected that he will be extradited or deported to face justice in India," the MEA statement read.
Arsh Dalla, who is believed to be the de-facto chief of Khalistan Tiger Force, was arrested by Canadian police in Ontario following a shooting incident on October 28. The Halton Regional Police Service had said that it had arrested two men on charges of "discharging firearm with intent" when one of them had gone to a hospital to get treated for a gunshot wound.
Dalla was said to be a close associate of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in June last year in Surrey, British Columbia. Though Indian government considers Dalla a terrorist, the Canadian government has not tested those charges in a Canadian court.
In September 2024, he publically claimed responsibility for Congress leader Baljinder Singh Balli's murder, who was shot dead in Moga district, Punjab.
The MEA statement further said that Arsh Dalla is a "proclaimed offender" in over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and terrorist acts including terror financing.
"In May 2022, a Red Corner Notice was issued against him. He was designated in India as an individual terrorist in 2023," the statement said.
According to the MEA statement, the Indian government had requested Canada to arrest Dalla in July 2023. However, Canada declined the request. India also revealed that it had been providing Canda with all the details about Arsh Dalla that the Department of Justice of Canada wanted.
"In July 2023, Government of India had requested the Canadian government for his provisional arrest. This was declined. Additional information was provided in this case. A separate request was also sent to Canada under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to verify Arsh Dalla’s suspected residential address, his financial transactions to India, moveable/immovable properties, details of mobile numbers etc. - all of which were provided to Canadian authorities in January 2023," the statement noted.
"In December 2023, the Department of Justice of Canada sought additional information on the case. A reply to these queries was sent in March this year," it added.
Arsh Dalla's case has been listed for hearing in the Ontario Court in Milton.
In the recent years, India has repeatedly tried to get Dalla extradited but failed. With his arrest in Canada now, India is now hopeful that the Khalistani terrorist will be brought to India and face trial here.