The Kanishka bombing trial, which ended in March, cost Canadian taxpayers almost $60 million (about Rs 234 crore) and the two main accused, who were acquitted, together owe about $16.1 million (about Rs 62.8 crore) to the government.

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British Columbia Attorney General Wally Oppal said the 19-month trial of Vancouver-based millionaire businessman Ripudaman Singh Malik and mill worker Ajaib Singh Bagri cost Canadian taxpayers almost $60 million (about Rs 234 crore) -- $30.27 million (about Rs 117 crore) of which was funded by the government and $27.51 million (about Rs 105 crore) by Ottawa.

In March, the BC Supreme Court judge found Bagri and Malik not guilty of eight charges connected to the 1985 bombing of the Air India flight off the coast of Ireland.

All 329 people on board were killed in the incident.

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Cost estimates suggest that Bagri and Malik owe $9.7 million (about Rs 39 crore) and $6.4 million (about Rs 25 crore) respectively to the Canadian government, Canadian Press reported.

Oppal said his government wants both Bagri and Singh to repay the money that was used for their defence.

"Approximately $22 million (about Rs 85 crore) of the cost went toward the defence of the two accused," he said, adding, "I want to tell you today that the government is pursuing with vigour, the repayment of the funds that were advanced to the two accused persons."

The call for repayment follows the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan that former Ontario premier Bob Rae will conduct a focused inquiry to deal with unanswered questions about the Air India bombing.

The federal government appointed Rae in April to make recommendations concerning an inquiry into the Kanishka disaster.

"When we charge someone, they are entitled to a fair defense," Oppal said, but added that both men signed agreements to pay back all their legal aid costs.

He, however, did not say what chances the government had of collecting money owed by Malik and Bagri.

"I cannot tell you what the chances are," Oppal said, adding, "But we know that both own property of various kinds and we will be making very diligent and aggressive efforts to collect the money."

While Bagri owns a house in Kamloops, BC, valued at $400,000, Malik, a multimillionaire businessman, has holdings throughout the province.

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CTV News network said it has learned that Malik's family owns assets that include prime real estate in the affluent neighbourhoods of Shaughnessy and Yaletown in Vancouver and a hotel in Harrison Hot Springs. However, after being charged in the Air India case, a judge said Malik's family transferred his assets to make it look as though he had less than he really owned.

After three years of taxpayers' money going towards his case, public funding for Malik's defence was subsequently stopped.

Complete Coverage: The Kanishka Bombing