The parents of Reena Virk, who was beaten to death, have filed a wide-ranging lawsuit against several parties including the two teenagers who killed her and the B.C. government.

Manjit Virk, Reena's father, said the lawsuit isn't because of greed or revenge. "It is an issue of fairness and accountability," he said on Wednesday.

"Society doesn't make people take responsibility for their actions. This is one way to make them responsible," he added.

Bridge where Reena was killed
Bridge where Reena was killed

Reena was killed on November 14, 1997, after two separate attacks by other teenagers. She was punched and kicked by a group of teens under a bridge in Saanich on Vancouver Island.

Reena managed to get up and stagger across the bridge. But then, two teens continued the beating and left her in the waters of the Gorge. That's where police found her body eight days later.

The case shocked the public because all but one of Reena's attackers were female, and many teens knew about her murder, but did not tell the police.

Court evidence indicated that a couple of the teens were angry at Reena but others didn't even know her.

Kelly Ellard and Warren Glowatski, 15 and 16 respectively at the time of the killing, were convicted in adult court of second-degree murder.

Six teenage girls were convicted of assault causing bodily harm.

The Virks filed the lawsuit last year. It wasn't activated until this week when the parties named in the case were notified.

Ellard and Glowatski and their parents, as well as all the six girls convicted of the first beating, and their parents or guardians are named in the lawsuit.

The Virks are also suing the Greater Victoria school district because they say teachers knew about the violent behaviour of the students involved in Reena's beating.

The provincial government is also named because Virk was being cared for by the Ministry for Children and Families at the time of her death.

Reena was removed from her family home after she accused her father of sexually assaulting her. Reena later recanted and the charges were dropped.

The Virks are also suing the Crown prosecutor who dealt with the charges.

Suman Virk, Reena's mother, said they were waiting for the end of the criminal trials to deal with their emotions and proceed with the case.

The family is suing for an unspecified amount of money, but said the "principle of responsibility" is more important than any cash award.

The Virks' lawyer predicted the case won't be heard for two years.