Canadian authorities have formally requested India to extradite Simran Preet Panesar, a prime suspect in the high-profile gold and currency heist that occurred at Toronto Pearson International Airport in April 2023. The theft, described by police as the largest gold heist in Canadian history, involved approximately 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of .9999 pure gold bars, valued at over $20 million Canadian, along with an additional $2.5 million in foreign currency. Panesar, a 33-year-old former Air Canada employee from Brampton, is accused of orchestrating the elaborate crime, allegedly using his insider access and knowledge of airline cargo systems to divert the valuable shipment. Canadian authorities believe he fled to India after the incident, prompting the Canada-wide arrest warrant and the subsequent extradition request. Indian agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), had previously traced Panesar to a rented house in Mohali, on the outskirts of Chandigarh, where they conducted searches and registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The development follows the recent arrest of another key suspect, Arsalan Chaudhary, 43, at Toronto Pearson International Airport on January 12, 2026, after he arrived on a flight from Dubai. Chaudhary has been charged with theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, and was described as the 'top dog' in planning the theft. To date, ten individuals have been charged or are wanted in connection with 'Project 24K,' the police investigation into the heist, with a small portion of the gold recovered, notably fashioned into bangles. The extradition request for Panesar is seen as a significant test of judicial cooperation between India and Canada.