The RCMP have undermined the credibility of their 15-year investigation to solve the mammoth Air-India bombing by arresting a suspect and releasing him 23 hours later without laying any charges, the international president of the World Sikh Organization says.
Hardial Singh Johal, a Vancouver school board janitor, was arrested on Sunday evening and released Monday evening. The intense news coverage of his arrest made life difficult for his wife and two sons, he said in an interview with Canadian Press.
Sukhmindr Singh Cheema, a Punjabi journalist, said many people in the Sikh community are wondering why police arrested Mr. Johal, why police are making repeated calls for more information and whether the police have anything new after 15 years of investigation.
Another Vancouver man, Balwant Singh Bhandher, said yesterday he expected to be picked up after RCMP arrested two suspects last week. Police had questioned him about the bombing six months ago, asking if he would like to co-operate with them. "I told them I know for sure I will not sit on your side."
Police won't comment on the investigation.