New Delhi: India-designated terrorist Arsh Dalla, arrested in Canada in connection with a shooting last month, is facing a long list of criminal cases back home. Among them are more than half a dozen terror cases, more than a dozen cases of extortion and as many as 43 cases under the Arms Act.
According to a dossier prepared by the Punjab Police, Dalla faces a total of 67 cases, of which he has been declared a proclaimed offender in 11, while 14 have reached the stage of trial, ThePrint has learnt. Sources in the security establishment said 99 percent of the cases against Dalla were lodged in the police stations of Punjab.
Dalla is also believed to have taken over operations of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) in wake of the killing of its previous chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Sikh separatist’s killing in June 2022 near a gurdwara in Surrey set off a severe deterioration in India-Canada relations, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing Indian government officials of having a hand in the murder.
Dalla, who left India on a passport made using fake documents, was declared an individual terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in January last year. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier this week said it will be seeking his extradition.
Here’s a list of criminal cases against Arsh Dalla:
Case 1
Place: Bathinda
Charges: 382 (theft), 34 (common intention) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 18/12/2015
Case 2
Place: Moga
Charges: 307 (attempt to murder), 148 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object)
Status: Under trial, Dalla declared proclaimed offender
Date: 12/01/2016
Case 3
Place: Barnala
Charges: 229 (false testimony in judicial proceedings) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 12/03/2020
Case 4
Place: Ludhiana Rural
Charges: 336 (act endangering life and safety of others), 427 (mischief causing hurt) of the IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 27/06/2020
Case 5
Place: Moga
Charges: 302 (murder), 34 (common intention) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under trial
Role: According to the Punjab Police, a murder was committed on Dalla’s direction by his shooters to terrorise the people of Moga city and carry out extortion.
Date: 14/07/2020
Case 6
Place: Bathinda
Charges: 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 34 (common intention) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Role: Dalla allegedly formed gangs to extort money from affluent individuals and instil fear among people of other faiths to promote disaffection in society.
Date: 20/11/2020
Case 7
Place: Moga
Charges: 387 (extortion), 115 (abetting an offence punishable by death or life imprisonment), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 13/01/2021
Case 8
Place: Jalandhar Rural
Charges: 307 (attempt to murder), 34 (common intention), 450 (house trespass) of IPC, Arms Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
Status: Case transferred to NIA
Role: Dalla had allegedly directed his shooters to shoot at sewadars of temples in Jalandhar Rural district as part of a campaign to target people from other faiths.
Date: 31/01/2021
Case 9
Place: Moga
Charges: 307 (attempt to murder), 387 (extortion), 34 (common intention) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under trial
Date: 09/02/2021
Case 10
Place: Ferozepur
Charges: 384 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 25/03/2021
Case 11
Place: Moga
Charges: 109, 116 (both pertain to abetment of an offence), 386 (extortion) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under trial
Date: 31/03/2021
Case 12
Place: Moga
Charges: 386 (extortion), 387 (attempt to extort from another person by putting them in fear of death or grievous hurt), 397 (robbery or dacoity), 400 (punishment for belonging to a gang of dacoits), 115 (abetting an offence punishable by death or life imprisonment), NDPS Act, Arms Act, UAPA
Status: Transferred to NIA, under trial
Role: Dalla allegedly directed shooters to target people of other communities and extort money from people.
Date: 22/05/2021
Case 13
Place: Moga
Charges: 302 (murder), 201 (destruction of evidence), 34 (common intention), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC
Status: Under trial
Date: 25/05/2021
Case 14
Place: Ferozepur
Charges: 384 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 30/06/2021
Case 15
Place: Moga
Charges: 384, 386 (both pertain to extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 28/08/2021
Case 16
Place: Tarn Taran
Charges: 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC, UAPA, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 22/09/2021
Case 17
Place: Rupnagar
Charges: 307 (attempt to murder), 34 (common intention) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under trial
Date: 08/12/2021
Case 18
Place: Moga
Charges: 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act
Status: Under trial
Date: 06/01/2022
Case 19
Place: SAS Nagar
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 07/01/2022
Case 20
Place: Gurdaspur
Charges: 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, UAPA, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act
Status: Under trial
Date: 20/01/2022
Case 21
Place: SAS Nagar
Charges: 392 (robbery), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint), 384 (extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 15/02/2022
Case 22
Place: SAS Nagar
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation), 34 (common intention) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 30/03/2022
Case 23
Place: SAS Nagar
Charges: 384 (extortion), 34 (common intention) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 07/04/2022
Case 24
Place: Amritsar
Charges: 120 (concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 17/04/2022
Case 25
Place: Moga
Charges: 302 (murder), 379B (snatching) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under trial
Date: 20/04/2022
Case 26
Place: Moga
Charges: 307 (attempt to murder), 506 (criminal intimidation), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 25/06/2022
Case 27
Place: Moga
Charges: 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 498 (enticing a married woman) of IPC
Status of investigation: Under investigation
Date: 25/06/2022
Case 28
Place: SAS Nagar
Charges: 384 (extortion), 153 (provoking riots) 153A (promotion of enmity between religious groups), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 15/07/2022
Case 29
Place: Moga
Charges: 387 (extortion), 336 (endangering safety and life of others), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 04/09/2022
Case 30
Place: Rupnagar
Charges: 153A (promotion enmity between groups) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 02/10/2022
Also Read: Rise of Arsh Dalla, from Moga boy to Nijjar aide, and now top dog at banned Khalistan Tiger Force
Case 31
Place: Moga
Charges: UAPA, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 04/10/2022
Case 32
Place: Moga
Charges: 174A (non-appearance of proclaimed offenders at the specified place and time) of IPC
Status: Under trial
Date: 12/11/2022
Case 33
Place: Fazilka
Charges: 384 (extortion), 153 (provoking riots), 153A (promoting enmity), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 18/11/2022
Case 34
Place: Amritsar
Charges: 120 (concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 18/11/2022
Case 35
Place: Moga
Charges: 174A (non-appearance of proclaimed offenders at the specified place and time) of IPC
Status: Under trial
Date: 20/11/2022
Case 36
Place: Tarn Taran
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 30/11/2022
Case 37
Place: Moga
Charges: 307 (attempt to murder), 34 (common intention), 427 (mischief), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 02/12/2022
Case 38
Place: Moga
Charges: 386 (extortion), 412 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 05/12/2022
Case 39
Place: Moga
Charges: NDPS Act, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 16/12/2022
Case 40
Place: Moga
Charges: 387 (extortion), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 19/12/2022
Case 41
Place: Ludhiana Rural
Charges: 302 (murder) 34 (common intention), 452 (criminal trespass), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 212 (harbouring someone who has committed an offence), 216 (harbouring someone who has escaped from custody or whose apprehension has been ordered) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 04/01/2023
Case 42
Place: Sangrur
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation), 34 (common intention) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 10/01/2023
Case 43
Place: Ludhiana Rural
Charges: 387 (extortion), 120B of IPC (criminal conspiracy), 67 of IT Act (transmitting or publishing obscene material online)
Status: Under investigation
Date: 11/01/2023
Case 44
Place: Moga
Charges: 420 (cheating), 465, 467, 468 (all pertain to forgery), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 17/01/2023
Case 45
Place: Fazilka
Charges: 489A, 489B, 489C (all pertain to counterfeit currency) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 26/01/2023
Case 46
Place: Ludhiana Rural
Charges: 387 (extortion), 307 (attempt to murder), 353 (using criminal force or assault to prevent a public servant from performing their duties), 186 (obstruction of a public servant in the performance of their duties), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 115 (abetment of offence) of IPC, Arms Act, UAPA
Status: Under investigation
Date: 26/01/2023
Case 47
Place: Moga
Charges: Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 28/01/2023
Case 48
Place: Fazilka
Charges: 384 (extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, 66 (computer-related offences) of IT Act, UAPA, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 10/02/2023
Case 49
Place: Bathinda
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation), 120B (criminal conspiracy) IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 14/02/2023
Case 50
Place: Moga
Charges: 174A (non-appearance of proclaimed offenders at the specified place and time) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 17/02/2023
Case 51
Place: Ludhiana Rural
Charges: 506 (criminal intimidation) IPC, 67 (publishing obscene materials online) of IT Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 11/03/2023
Case 52
Place: Mansa
Charges: 384 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 05/04/2023
Case 53
Place: Moga
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 11/04/2023
Case 54
Place: Bathinda
Charges: 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 20/04/2023
Case 55
Place: Bathinda
Charges: 307 (attempt to murder), 384 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 28/07/2023
Case 56
Place: Khanna
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 01/08/2023
Case 57
Place: Khanna
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 13/10/2023
Case 58
Place: Bathinda
Charges: 302 (murder), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 34 (common intention) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 28/10/2023
Case 59
Place: Bathinda
Charges: 384 (extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, Arms Act
Status: Under investigation
Date: 31/10/2023
Case 60
Place: Mansa
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 02/02/2024
Case 61
Place: Rupnagar
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 13/02/2024
Case 62
Place: Moga
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation), 34 (common intention) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 19/02/2024
Case 63
Place: Bathinda
Charges: 384, 386, 387 (all pertain to extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 29/02/2024
Case 64
Place: Faridkot
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 11/03/2024
Case: 65
Place: Sri Muktsar Sahib
Charges: 387 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC
Status: Under investigation
Date: 26/04/2024
Case 66
Place: SBS Nagar
Charges: 308(5) (extortion) of BNS
Status: Under investigation
Date: 30/08/2024
Case 67
Place: Ferozepur
Charges: 308(4) (extortion) and 351(3) (criminal intimidation) of BNS
Status: Under investigation
Date: 11/10/2024
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)