India will seek extradition of Arsh Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, the de facto chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force, from Canada as he is a proclaimed offender here. He was reportedly arrested there recently and it is expected that he will be extradited or deported to face justice in India, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said here on Thursday.

“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,” MEA said.

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. 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, it said.

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, MEA said.

“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,” it said.