Vancouver: The Canadian government has rejected a demand for an inquiry into the reports that its spy agency had pulled out a mole from the Sikh separatist movement, who was in the know of the plan to blow up Air India Kanishka aircraft in 1985, killing 329 people on board.

Media reports, citing interrogation files released last week, said the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had planted a mole in the Sikh group and concealed information about his activities from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

The reports, citing RCMP files, allege that CSIS pulled out their mole – named as Surjan Singh Gill – just three days before Air India flight 182 exploded off the coast of Ireland in June 1985, killing all 329 onboard.

Two suspected Sikh separatists Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri are facing trial in a court in Vancouver in connection with the bombing.

The issue was raised in the House of Commons in Ottawa on June 2, where Kevin Sorenson of the right- winged populist Canadian Alliance demanded the government to hold an inquiry into the allegations.

However, solicitor general Wayne Easter rejected the demand saying, "To suggest that CSIS for any reason would pull back from an ongoing counter-terrorism investigation and jeopardise the lives of Canadians and others is absolutely absurd."

"This has been the longest, most costly investigation in Canadian history and my interest and Canadians' interest is to see it carried out through to its conclusion in court," he added.

PTI