Date:05/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/05/stories/2007120554341600.htm

National

Kanishka bombing: ‘critical conspiracy proof lost’

Toronto: Bombers of Air India plane ‘Kanishka’ could have been brought to justice years ago had the Canada’s spy agency not erased key wiretap tapes, an officer said.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Bass on Monday testified before an enquiry into the June 23, 1985 attack that he was convinced the missing material could have been used to build a “conspiracy case” against the extremists.

“I certainly would have been urging a prosecution,” he said. “I think there probably would have been an opportunity for a court to accept that [wiretap material] as proof of a conspiracy. I can’t say for sure, obviously. But to me it would be fairly compelling evidence to put forward to the Crown counsel.” — PTI