Kanishka trial cost Canadians $60 mn

New Delhi: The two main accused in the Kanishka bombing case, together owe $16.1 million to the government.

The 19-month trial of Vancouver-based millionaire businessman Ripudaman Singh Malik and millworker Ajaib Singh Bagri is called the longest and the most expensive trial in Canadian history. It cost the Canadian taxpayers almost $60 million.

Nearly $30.27 million of the total amount was funded by the government and the other $27.51 million by Ottawa.

The Canadian Supreme Court had in March pronounced the two 'not guilty' of eight charges connected to the 1985 bombing of Kanishka flight off the coast of Ireland.

But with the acquittals causing widespread frustration among victims' families, the government appointed former Ontario Premier Bob Rae to look into the trial process.

Meanwhile, the Canadian government has asked the two accused to repay the money that was used for their defence.