Indian government said Thursday (Nov 14) it was seeking to get proclaimed terrorist and Khalistani separatist Arshdeep Dalla extradited following his arrest in Canada. Dalla was one of the two persons detained by Canada police on October 28 in connection with a shooting incident. Arshdeep was designated as terrorist by New Delhi in January 2023. India on several occasions has sought his extradition but to no avail.
“We have seen media reports circulating since 10 November on the arrest in Canada of proclaimed offender Arsh Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, the de-facto chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force. Canadian print and visual media have widely reported on the arrest. We understand that the Ontario Court has listed the case for hearing,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
The MEA statement added that Dalla is wanted in India over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and terror acts. A red corner notice was also issued against him in May 2022, said the Indian government.
In July 2023, the Government of India had requested the Canadian government for his provisional arrest. This was declined. Additional information was provided in this case,” the statement read.
The Indian ministry also shamed Canadian authorities for ignoring India’s extradition calls, despite having provided all required details establishing his connection with terrorists.
“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. 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,” the statement elaborated.
India’s anti-terror National Investigation Agency (NIA) had also requested cooperation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in 2022 but the efforts didn’t bear fruit.
(With inputs from agencies)
