Santokh Bagga

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Santokh Singh Bagga was a Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) informant who helped with the investigation of the 1985 Air India bombing.

Mr. Bagga expired recently in Pune.

Bagga received his doctorate in philosophy and psychology from Poona University in 1978, and applied for refugee status, and came to Canada in 1986 with his son. Solicitor General James Kelleher sent a letter on March 30, 1987 stating that Bagga's security had to be kept in mind, and transferring his handling from CSIS to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.^[1] In May 1988, Bagga accused Secretary of State for External Affairs Joe Clark of interfering with his claim for refugee status to placate the Indian government.

Despite the RCMP protection provided, and history of activism with Babbar Khalsa, Bagga did not testify in the 2004/2005 Air India bombing trial^[2].

Babbar Khalsa was suspected of involvement in the Air India bombings, and two of its members, Ajaib Singh Bagri and Ripudaman Singh Malik were charged and put on trial. They were cleared largely due to the lack of credible witnesses.

Tara Singh Hayer, a vocal critic of the Babbar Khalsa who had been on the Air India witness list, identified Bagga as a source of disputed information in several of his stories at the time. When Bagga denied the allegations, Hayer put taperecorded copies of the interviews on sale in Punjabi stores.^{[citation needed]} In August 1988, Bagga's 17-year old son shot and paralyzed Hayer at his newspaper office, and was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. When questioned by police, Harikat initially claimed to have gotten the gun from Ajaib Singh Bagri, though later recanted.^{[citation needed]}

Harkirat Singh Bagga currently resides in Punjab, India. ^[3]

[edit] References

1. ^ The Sikh Times - News and Analysis - Santokh Singh Bagga, C.S.I.S. Informant
2. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airindia/
3. ^ The Sikh Times - News and Analysis - Personal Revenge Motivated Hayer Assassination