Dosanjh to drag man acquitted in AI attack to court

"Malik did not testify in the Air India criminal trial as he was able to hide behind the right to remain silent.

However, now, in this civil trial, Malik will be forced to answer all relevant questions," Dosanjh said.

In a statement released yesterday, a day after Malik filed a defamation suit against Dosanjh, the former British Columbia premier said that for the first time Malik will have no immunity from being questioned about the bombing.

Malik had filed a civil lawsuit in British Columbia Supreme Court against Dosanjh, alleging that Dosanjh had made untrue and damaging statements about him during the recent federal election and in a flyer that Dosanjh distributed.

"I will challenge Malik every step of the way with questions regarding the extent of his involvement with and connection to Air India and the known perpetrators."

Dosanjh added that he hopes the defamation suit will shed more light on how the "heinous crime" originating from Canada.

After filing the lawsuit, Malik issued a statement, saying "After I was acquitted, some members of the press and public continued to believe I was guilty."

"Mr Justice Josephson found... there is simply no evidence tending to point to the role that Malik may have played in the conspiracy to place bombs on Air India plane.

"I have tried not to respond every time someone said I was guilty. However, I cannot allow my name to continue to be harmed," Malik said.

Malik said that he hired Dosanjh in the 1980s as the lawyer for the Satnam Education Society of B C which operates the Khalsa School.

Malik said he was one of the founding members of the society. Dosanjh in 1986 was the lawyer that incorporated the society.

Dosanjh did not charge legal fees for work he performed for Khalsa School, Malik said.

"In the recent election, Ujjal Dosanjh accused Khalsa School of endorsing one candidate. As the Society`s former lawyer, Ujjal knows that Khalsa School`s mission is education, and not politics," Malik said.

Malik added that he did not support Dosanjh in the recent federal election.

"He has made inflammatory statements about myself, my family, my community and Khalsa School," Malik said.

Dosanjh, who has been a Liberal MP representing Vancouver South since 2004, was defeated on Monday by Conservative Wei Young.

During the campaign, Dosanjh filed a complaint with Elections Canada after Malik endorsed Young at the Khalsa School, which receives some public funding and cannot be involved in politics.