Parliament discussion on Status of investigation on the 1985 Kanishka Bombing
By Dr. S. Chakraborty
On 6th February,
2025, Shri Kartikeya Sharma, member of Rajya Sabha, expressed his concern regarding
the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the 1985 Kanishka
bombing. The attack claimed 329 lives, among them majority were India-origin, and
24 Indian nationals. He asked the current status of India's engagement with the
Canadian Government and other partners, regarding the investigation and
prosecution of those responsible for the Kanishka bombing and the details
thereof; he also asked the details of the steps being taken by the Ministry to
ensure that all perpetrators of the bombing are extradited to India; and whether
there is any mechanism in place to ensure that the Canadian Government is held
accountable for any perceived lapses in their investigation or prosecution of
the perpetrators, if so, the details thereof?
Answering the
question, the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs Shri Kirti
Vardhan Singh clearly stated that the AI-182 ‘Kanishka’ bombing in 1985 was
planned and executed in Canada. The dastardly attack, which claimed the lives
of 329 innocent people.
Mr. Singh informed
the House that in May 2006, the Government of Canada appointed a Commission of
Inquiry to examine (a) the events surrounding the bombing, (b) the subsequent
investigation carried out by the relevant agencies, and (c) to identify gaps in
Canada’s security and intelligence system.
He also informed
that on 16 June 2010, nearly 25 years after the bombing, the Government of
Canada received the final report of the Commission of Inquiry titled, ‘Air
India Flight 182: A Canadian Tragedy’.
Mr. Singh presented
some findings of the Commission in front of the House, for example, the
Commission stated that the Canadian Government agencies neglected significant pieces
of information, which clearly indicated that Flight AI-182 was at high risk of
being bombed by known pro-Khalistani terrorists in June 1985. Canadian
Government agencies also failed to appreciate the nature and seriousness of the
threat. Moreover, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) surveillance
was ineffective. Despite the knowledge of the threat of sabotage, Transport
Canada and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Protective Policing displayed a
lack of flexibility by continuing to rely on anti-hijacking security measures,
which did not address the threat of bombing. Besides that, there was a lack of
cooperation and communication within the RCMP and between RCMP, Transport
Canada and the airlines in relation to airport security.
Mr. Singh also
informed the House that the only person ever convicted in this case was Mr.
Inderjit Singh Reyat. After serving a 20-year sentence, he was released from a
Canadian prison in 2016. The other co-conspirators in this cowardly act have
either died or have largely remain unpunished for a lack of evidence.
On 23rd June 2010,
at the 25th anniversary commemorative ceremony for the victims of the tragedy,
the then Prime Minister of Canada apologized on behalf of the Government of
Canada and all Canadians for the institutional failings twenty-five years
earlier and the treatment of the victims’ families thereafter.
Every year on 23rd
June, the High Commission of India in Ottawa and the Consulates General of
India in Toronto and Vancouver, together with family members of the victims and
members of the Indian Diaspora participate in remembering the victims
of this dastardly act of terror, in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.
On 1st July 2024,
the Rajya Sabha observed a minute’s silence for the victims of AI-182. Hon’ble
Vice President on the occasion stated that: "Regrettably justice was never
fully served in these cases. These incidents are a grim reminder of why the world
must show zero tolerance towards terrorism and violent extremism. Such acts can
never be condoned or justified or countenanced under any pretext.”
In his statement,
Mr. Singh also noted the continuous negligence of Canadian government for
violent extremists and secessionists. They are continuing their activities in
the name of Charter Freedoms. Mr. Singh clearly informed the House that last
year, Canadian government allowed radical elements to hold protests at all
places, where Indian High Commission and Consulates were organizing
commemorative activities in honour of the victims of the attack. Such incidents
undermined the confidence in the Canadian legal and justice system and also
impacts the Indo-Canada bilateral relations. He also mentioned that Canadian
authorities also allowed pro-Khalistan groups to glorify the bombing of AI-182
through banners and posters, which is a deplorable act.
He also ensured
that the Government of India has well-known and long-standing position on
appropriate action against the perpetrators of this ghastly tragedy, in order
to bring justice to the victims.
For detail
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