INDEPTH: AIR INDIA
Reactions to the Air India verdicts
CBC News Online | March 16, 2005
CBC MEDIA:
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 CBC TV's Peter Armstrong reports on the political reaction. (Runs 1:53)
CBC TV's Mellissa Fung reports on calls for a public inquiry. (Runs 2:31)
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Bagri family statement
After the verdicts were read, Ajaib Singh Bagri emerged from the courthouse to face a throng of reporters. One of his daughters ? Inderip Kaur Bagri - read a statement on behalf of her father.
"In 1985, when these terrible events occurred, I was a passionate advocate for an independent homeland for the Sikh people," Bagri?s statement said.
"The past four and a half years have been very difficult for me and my family. I have been charged with horrendous crimes."
Ajaib Singh Bagri and his daughter answer questions after the verdict in Vancouver.
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"I had absolutely no involvement in any of these criminal activities. The loss of so many innocent lives resulting from these events is an enormous tragedy. It has brought unspeakable suffering to the families and friends of those who have died. It has also caused deep divisions within the Sikh community. It is my hope that the completion of these legal proceedings will now allow healing to begin."
When asked directly by reporters whether he expected the verdict, Ajaib Singh Bagri said:
"Yes, because I am innocent."
Runs 3:50
Sarwan Singh Randhawa, general secretary, Khalsa Diwan Society:
"So who did it? Who put the bombs in the plane? The public wants to know. We want to know … This is not fair to the families whose loved ones were lost in this terrible crime. Who did it? There should be a public inquiry."
David Hayer
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Anne McLellan
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David Hayer, British Columbia MLA and son of journalist Tara Singh Hayer, who covered Sikh extremism and was shot dead in 1998:
"I'm shocked. I was looking for some closure, but this is no closure. I think it also sends a message to terrorists: in Canada you can blow up an airplane, kill innocent human beings and nothing will happen to you. After almost 20 years, nobody has been held accountable for this."
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan:
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan reacted to the verdicts, saying it is too early to decide what the next step will be. When asked about the possibility of holding an inquiry: "I am not in a position now today to comment on that, we've just been through a trial of over a year ?. At this point, it's not possible for me to say ... that there would be a benefit from a public inquiry."
Runs 12:57
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper:
"If we do not have a successful prosecution in the end, I believe it is essential we have a public inquiry."
"I'm not in a position to hand down a verdict ? I can't challenge the verdict. I can simply say because of more than 300 dead Canadians, justice has not been done."
Sgt. John Ward, RCMP spokesman:
"Our commitment to you the families does not end today. It will continue as our investigation is active an ongoing."
He said that while the RCMP respects the judge's ruling, "nevertheless, you can appreciate there is a level of disappointment ? I'm not prepared at this time to say our investigation was flawed."
Jeanne Bakermans, the airline employee who checked the bag that blew up Air India Flight 182:
"When he [the judge] said Mr. Malik was not guilty, it was wrenching ?. The families of the victims need closure more than me, but for all of us, we need closure."
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