The recent arrest of Arshdeep Singh Gill, alias Arsh Dalla, in Canada has sparked a strong response from India, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding cross-border terrorism and organized crime linked to the Khalistani movement. Dalla, a designated terrorist and a key figure in the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), has been involved in a series of violent crimes, including murder, extortion, and terror financing. His arrest is seen as a significant step, but it also raises critical questions about extradition, legal procedures, and the broader issue of international cooperation in combating terrorism.
India’s Official Response
In response to media queries about the arrest, Randhir Jaiswal, the Official Spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), confirmed that the arrest of Arsh Dalla had taken place in Ontario, Canada. Jaiswal stated that India had long been pursuing Dalla for his involvement in numerous criminal activities. “We understand that the Ontario Court has listed the case for hearing,” Jaiswal stated, adding that Dalla’s arrest was part of ongoing efforts to bring him to justice.
Jaiswal pointed out that Dalla had been a proclaimed offender in over 50 criminal cases in India, including charges related to murder, extortion, and terrorism. He was designated a terrorist by India in 2023 and had been the subject of a Red Corner Notice since 2022. India had also sought Dalla’s provisional arrest through diplomatic channels, including a request made in July 2023, which had been denied by Canada.
Further, India had submitted additional information to Canadian authorities through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in an effort to assist in Dalla’s prosecution. “Given his criminal record in India and his activities in Canada, India will be following up on an extradition request,” Jaiswal said. He highlighted that India’s agencies would be monitoring the case closely to ensure Dalla is brought back to India to face charges.
Who is Arsh Dalla?
Arsh Dalla, aged 28, is a notorious figure in the criminal world, particularly known for his involvement in both gang violence and terrorism. A native of Dala village in Moga district, Punjab, Dalla’s early life was rooted in a farming family. However, his path diverged when he became involved in criminal activities at a young age. His first criminal case, an attempted murder charge, was registered in 2016 when he was just 19 years old.
By 2018, Dalla fled to Canada, aided by a corrupt Punjab Police officer who helped him obtain a passport using fraudulent verification. In Canada, Dalla became involved with the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), a banned terrorist group, and began expanding his influence in organized crime, including drug trafficking and terror financing. Dalla’s criminal network, operating in Canada, the US, Europe, and Pakistan, is heavily involved in smuggling weapons and narcotics, particularly across the Indo-Pakistani border.
In January 2023, Dalla was officially designated as an individual terrorist by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. His close ties with Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the slain KTF leader, were also highlighted by Indian authorities. After Nijjar’s death in June 2023, Dalla assumed leadership of the KTF, further cementing his role in cross-border terror activities. India has accused Dalla of orchestrating several murders, extortions, and terrorist activities, both in India and abroad.
Dalla’s Criminal Activities
His activities are extensive and span across multiple countries. In Punjab, he is linked to over 50 criminal cases, including murders, targeted killings, and extortion. He is also suspected of involvement in the smuggling of drugs and weapons, particularly through Pakistan, where his operations are believed to be coordinated with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
He has been directly involved in several high-profile murders, including the killing of a Hindu youth in New Delhi and the murder of Sikh activist Gurpreet Singh Hari Nau. He is also suspected of orchestrating the killing of a prominent store owner in Moga in 2020, among many others. His activities have escalated since his move to Canada, where he formed alliances with other criminal groups, including the rival Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
In October 2023, Dalla was arrested in Canada in connection with a shooting incident that was reportedly linked to a feud with the Bishnoi gang. This clash between criminal factions underscores the growing violence that stems from Dalla’s criminal operations, both in Canada and India.
The Diplomatic Implications
The arrest of Arsh Dalla has raised important diplomatic and legal issues between India and Canada. Dalla’s arrest follows the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another prominent Khalistani leader, in June 2023, which further strained relations between the two countries. India has consistently urged Canada to take stronger action against individuals involved in Khalistani separatism and terrorism, particularly those with connections to violent activities in India.
In this context, Dalla’s arrest is seen as a partial victory for India’s law enforcement efforts. However, the matter is far from resolved, as the Canadian legal system will need to address India’s request for extradition. India has made it clear that it expects Canada to cooperate in ensuring that Dalla faces justice in India for his extensive criminal record.