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Canada: Air India bombing inquiry may be closed

February 19, 2007 21:38 IST

The Air India bombing inquiry is in danger of being shut down by presiding Judge John Major as the government is unwilling to provide vital documents that are needed.

The inquiry was to resume on Monday after about 10 weeks of break as the governmemnt talked about some technical difficulties in transferring documents from the Justice Ministry to the Air India Inquiry Commission.

On Monday morning, Judge Major openly threatened to shut down proceedings because the government's claim to secrecy was hampering the ability to investigate the Air India tragedy.

He said that claims to secrecy were being placed on much of the material he required.

Major adjourned the hearings to March 5, saying he hoped the government will come around to his view by that date.

Family members of the victims, some of whom were present in Ottawa for the inquiry, held a press conference and protested the government's not sharing vital documents with the commission of inquiry.

Ajit Jain in Toronto