Tuesday, December 23, 2025
ADVT 
National

Inderjit Singh Reyat, Only Person Convicted In Air India Bombing, Released From Halfway House

The Canadian Press, 15 Feb, 2017 11:45 AM
    VANCOUVER — A man convicted of perjury for his testimony during the trial of two men accused in the 1985 Air India bombing has been allowed to leave a halfway house and live wherever he likes.
     
    A Parole Board of Canada decision posted online by the CBC shows the condition that required Inderjit Singh Reyat to live at the halfway house following his release from prison last year has been removed.
     
    Reyat was accused of perjury in 2006 for repeatedly lying during his testimony at a trial into the bombing deaths of more than 300 people.
     
    In 2010, he was found guilty and sentenced to nine years in prison.
     
    Reyat pleaded guilty in February 2003 to manslaughter for supplying bomb parts housed in a suitcase that exploded aboard Air India Flight 182, which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean after leaving Montreal for London with 329 people aboard.
     
    The plea agreement made him the only person ever convicted in the attack.
     
    The parole board could not be reached for comment on the decision posted by CBC.
     
    The latest parole board decision says Reyat's case management team has reported that he has been following all of the conditions of his release, and there is no evidence that he is communicating with people who may hold extremist views.
     
     
    The decision, which is dated Jan. 26, says Reyat is attending ongoing counselling to address "cognitive distortions" and violent behaviour, and is at a low risk to reoffend, unless there was a threat to his "Sikh cause."
     
    "Your (case management team) has indicated that a number of measures will be put in place in order to adequately monitor your risk, should the residency condition be removed," the decision posted by CBC says.
     
    There are still a number of conditions imposed on Reyat, including that he not participate in any political activities, access extremist propaganda or possess anything that could be used to build an explosive device.
     
    He is also prohibited from contacting the victim's families and he must continue counselling.
     
    Reyat became eligible for statutory release in January 2016 after serving two-thirds of his nine-year sentence for lying at the trial of two other men charged in Canada's worst mass murder 30 years ago.
     
    Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajiab Singh Bagri were both acquitted of mass murder and conspiracy in March 2005.
     
    As part of his plea agreement in the middle the bombing trial, Reyat received a controversial five-year sentence in exchange for testifying against Bagri and Malik.
     
     
    Reyat had already served a decade behind bars for another bombing on the same day when a suitcase meant for a second Air India plane exploded at Tokyo's Narita Airport, killing two baggage handlers.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Indian Evangelist Denied Refugee Status In New Zealand To Be Deported

    Indian Evangelist Denied Refugee Status In New Zealand To Be Deported
    An Indian Christian evangelist in New Zealand will be deported despite his claims that "Hindu extremists" in India have threatened to kill him

    Indian Evangelist Denied Refugee Status In New Zealand To Be Deported

    B.C. Revises Skills Exams, Delays New Curriculum Roll Out For Senior Grades

    B.C. Revises Skills Exams, Delays New Curriculum Roll Out For Senior Grades
    Education Minister Mike Bernier says a one year extension is being permitted, following requests from teachers, principals and trustees.

    B.C. Revises Skills Exams, Delays New Curriculum Roll Out For Senior Grades

    Surrey Woman Arrested By Langley Police Who Relied On The Kindness Of Strangers

    Surrey Woman Arrested By Langley Police Who Relied On The Kindness Of Strangers
    Langley RCMP has charged a 34 year-old Surrey resident who spun her tale of woe into YOUR money in HER pocket.

    Surrey Woman Arrested By Langley Police Who Relied On The Kindness Of Strangers

    Suspicious Item Found On Busy Stretch Of West Broadway

    Suspicious Item Found On Busy Stretch Of West Broadway
    The VPD have concluded a suspicious item left on West Broadway was not dangerous.

    Suspicious Item Found On Busy Stretch Of West Broadway

    Burnaby RCMP Arrest Male Suspect In Multiple Exposure Complaints

      Police have received numerous complaints from young, female victims, ranging from 10-21 years of age, who were approached by a male driving a white pick-up truck or SUV in a North Burnaby Neighbourhood. 

    Burnaby RCMP Arrest Male Suspect In Multiple Exposure Complaints

    Canucks Sign Defenceman Ben Hutton To Two-year Contract Extension Worth US $5.6 Million

    Canucks Sign Defenceman Ben Hutton To Two-year Contract Extension Worth US $5.6 Million
    The 23-year-old from Prescott, Ont., is in his second NHL season with Vancouver and has two goals and two assists in 20 games so far in 2016-17.

    Canucks Sign Defenceman Ben Hutton To Two-year Contract Extension Worth US $5.6 Million