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Canadian judge postpones decision on bail
for alleged Air India bombers

British Columbia Supreme Court Judge Patrick Dohm gave no date for a ruling, simply stating he would render his decision on whether to grant bail in 'due course'.

During the four-and-a-half-day hearing, which ended Tuesday, defence lawyers argued that the two men - Ajaib Singh Bagri and Ripudaman Singh Malik - should be released from prison pending the outcome of a trial, which might not begin for another 12 months.

Sawmill worker Bagri (51) and millionaire Malik (53) have been charged with first-degree murder, and conspiracy to commit murder, in connection the deaths of the passengers and crew members on board Air India Flight 182, which disappeared off the coast of Ireland in 1985.

The plane was headed for New Delhi from Canada when it disappeared from radar screens 1,700 kilometres (1,050 miles) off the coast of Ireland in 1985. All 329 people on board were killed.

Two Japanese baggage handlers died the same day when a bomb exploded at Narita Airport, near Tokyo, as luggage was being loaded onto Air India Flight 301.

Police believe the two blasts were linked and that the bombs were hidden in luggage that originated out of Vancouvers airport.

Bagri and Malik did not attend the hearing.

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