IN DEPTH: AIR INDIA
Reactions to the Air India verdicts: Victims' families and friends
CBC News Online | March 16, 2005
CBC MEDIA:
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 CBC TV's Chris Brown reports on reaction from the victims' families. (Runs 3:01)
 Relatives of those killed on Air India Flight 182 react to the verdicts.
(Runs 47:09)
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As the verdict was read, many of the more than 70 relatives of people killed in the Air India blast gasped in shock. There were tears and hugs as they tried to absorb the reality that after 19 months, this trial was ending with the acquittal of two men they believed took part in the killing of their relatives.
Hours after the verdict, about two dozen family members shared a stage as they were given their chance to speak their minds. Each of them repeated a demand they've been making for years: call a public inquiry into Air India disaster.
Here's a sampling of what some of the relatives of the Air India victims had to say:
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Susheel Gupta |
Susheel Gupta, Ottawa lawyer, whose mother died in the Air India bombing when he was 12 years old:
"What we want to see next is a public inquiry. There's no doubt about it, two bombs got aboard two planes, and 329 plus the two baggage handlers, 331 people were murdered – all innocently.
Sadly today, two people accused, with much evidence against them, walked free. And that means justice was not served, regardless of whether these two are innocent or not. No one has been found guilty. That means there must be a public inquiry."
Rumi Shross
Rumi Shross spoke to CBC News from London, Ontario. He lost a friend in the Air India bombing.
"I was stunned. I was dumfounded. I just simply couldn't believe it. I don't think this is the end. Something has to be done. Somebody is guilty, I don't know who, but somebody is guilty."
 Runs 3:51
Rattan Singh Kalsi holds up a photo of his daughter, Indira, who died on Air India flight 182. (CP Photo/Richard Lam) |
Eddie Madon |
Rattan Singh Kalsi, from London, Ont., whose daughter died in the Air India bombing, spoke with the Canadian Press:
"Why did they even have this trial? … We were suffering anyway. Now we will suffer more."
"I want justice from above – from God."
Eddie Madon lost his father on Flight 182
"This is a day of mourning for Canada and all the world. The government of Canada owes us a public inquiry."
Runs 2:09
Lata Pada lost two daughters on Flight 182
"Today, another tragedy has occurred., A travesty of justice. Today's verdict flies in the face of what we believe Canada to be: a just society."
Shanjay Lazer lost his family on the flight
"We have lost our families all over again, this time to the Canadian justice system…During the last 20 years, time has stood still for all of us. We had sought only justice, not retribution. Perhaps, today, the last bit of dignity has been stolen from us, from our lives."
John Chatlani lost his mother, four-year-old brother, and 13-year-old sister
"I almost feel as though the Canadian justice system has made a mockery of all of us. Someone needs to be held accountable and a publicy inquiry is the only way."
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