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Inderjit Singh Reyat Convicted of Perjury Over Air India Flight 182 Bombing

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a major development in the world's deadliest airline bombing case, Inderjit Singh Reyat has been found guilty of perjury during the trial of Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri. The verdict was delivered in a Vancouver courtroom, with Reyat, 58, being ordered into custody immediately. This conviction comes after Reyat admitted to his role in building the bomb that destroyed Air India Flight 182 in 1985, killing 329 people, mostly Canadians. The bombing also led to the premature explosion of a suitcase bomb at Japan's Narita Airport, resulting in the deaths of two baggage handlers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Inderjit Singh Reyat has been convicted of perjury by a jury, a very serious charge that requires his immediate remand in custody before sentencing.
  • Reyat was found guilty of lying under oath during the trial of Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri, which was related to the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182.
  • The 58-year-old Reyat had already served a 10-year sentence for his role in the Narita bombing and had pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the Kanishka bombing in February 2003.
  • Reyat's lawyer, Ian Donaldson, argued that his client should remain out of custody to prepare for the two-day sentencing hearing, but his request was denied by British Columbia Supreme Court Judge Mark McEwan.
  • The judge ruled that Reyat's conviction by a jury of perjury necessitated his immediate detention to protect the administration of justice and maintain the reputation of the legal system.
  • The case is significant as it involves one of the deadliest airline bombings in history, which had a profound impact on the lives of the families of the victims and on Canadian society.

Statistics:

  • 329 people died in the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing.
  • 2 baggage handlers died in the premature explosion of a suitcase bomb at Japan's Narita Airport.
  • Inderjit Singh Reyat served a 10-year sentence for his role in the Narita bombing.
  • Reyat pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the Kanishka bombing in February 2003.
  • The two-day sentencing hearing for Reyat is scheduled for November 17, 2010.

Sources:

  • Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
  • PTI

BK RAI 09190621

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