Air-India bombing verdict on March 16, '05

Final arguments in the Air-India bombing trial have concluded with the verdict set to be delivered on March 16 next year, ending one of the most exhaustive and expensive trials in the Canadian history.

Ripudaman Singh Malik, 57, and Ajaib Singh Bagri, 55, are charged with planting bombs that exploded on June 23, 1985, aboard an Air-India plane on its way from Toronto to India via London. The mid-air explosion killed 329 people.

A second bomb exploded at Tokyo's Narita Airport, killing two baggage handlers.

Both accused deny the charges.

British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Ian Josephson announced on Friday that he would deliver the judgment on
March 16, 2005.

The case has called 115 witnesses since it began in April 2003. With a specially built courtroom, the trial cost more
than $ 100

million.

The judge lavished praise on the court staff for their long, hard efforts throughout the marathon 19-month trial.

"The exhibits were endless, many witnesses faced difficulty in understanding English language and the security issues were extreme," Josephson was quoted by local media as saying.

"The sheriff more than met the challenge, the justice system has served the public well."