Did Canada arrest Arsh Dalla to avoid extraditing him to India?

India will make a fresh request to Canada for the extradition of Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill, alias Arsh Dalla, following his arrest on October 28 following a shooting incident in Ontario.

Dalla is one of India’s several most-wanted terrorists who has been sheltering in Canada since 2018.

The Indian government has been demanding his arrest since 2023. He has been detained now, not at India’s request.

India’s case for extradition of Arsh Dalla

After various media reports of Dalla’s arrest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (November 14) released a statement saying that the Government of India, in July 2023, had requested the Canadian government for Dalla’s provisional arrest, but it was declined.

India also provided Canada with additional information in the case but no action has been taken so far.

Dalla was a close aide of slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and now the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).

Over 50 cases, Red Corner notice against Dalla

As per the ministry, Dalla is a proclaimed offender in over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and terrorist acts including terror financing.

He is wanted by the Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and has a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on him. A Red Corner Notice was issued against him in May 2022.

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In 2023, Dalla was designated in India as an individual terrorist.

Is Canada not cooperating with India on Dalla’s extradition?

In January 2023, India made a separate request under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to verify his suspected residential address, financial transactions to India, moveable/immovable properties, and details of his mobile number. All these were provided by New Delhi to Ottawa.

In December 2023, the Department of Justice of Canada sought additional information on the case and replies to these queries were sent in March this year.

Also Read: Who is Khalistani extremist Arshdeep Dalla, Nijjar aide detained in Canada, who India wants to extradite?

“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,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

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Who is Khalistani extremist Arshdeep Dalla, Nijjar aide detained in Canada, who India wants to extradite?

Why was Arsh Dalla arrested?

Dalla was arrested after the shooting incident on October 28 in Ontario. During the investigation, the Canadian police found that he was shot at by his own aide, instead of any hitmen sent by rival Lawrence Bishnoi which he claimed earlier.

The probe team found that Dalla along with his associate Gurjant Singh cooked a story of him being a victim of Bishnoi to mislead the cops.

Also Read: Canada haven for criminals, shows its own probe into Dalla shooting

The investigating team also carried out searches at Dalla’s premises and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including a rifle, a shotgun, a pistol and two high-capacity magazines of 15 and 35 rounds.