Jagtar Singh Johal Granted Bail After Nearly 9 Years in India

A significant breakthrough has occurred in the long-running case of Scottish Sikh activist, Jagtar Singh Johal. After nearly nine years of detention in India without conviction, Johal has been granted bail by the Delhi High Court. This news brings immense relief to his family, who have tirelessly campaigned for his release.

Johal, from Dumbarton, was arrested in 2017 in connection with alleged terror offences.

Indian authorities accused him of involvement in targeted killings and financially supporting the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). However, his supporters maintain he was targeted for blogging about human rights abuses against the Sikh community and was coerced into signing a false confession.

A UN panel in 2022 recognized his detention as arbitrary, and Johal himself has claimed torture, a claim denied by Indian authorities.

While he was acquitted last year in a case related to KLF funding, Johal still faces federal charges. His bail conditions are strict: he must surrender his passport, is barred from speaking to the media about the case, and has to pay a personal bond of 500,000 rupees (approximately £3,907). He is also only permitted to use one phone.

His brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, who has led the campaign for his brother's freedom, described the bail as a "really important milestone." He expressed the family's relief and joy, noting that Jagtar's wife and children are overjoyed at the prospect of him being at liberty. However, Gurpreet emphasized that this is just the first step, and more work is needed to bring Jagtar home to Dumbarton.

Johal's lawyer in India, Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, anticipates his release within the coming days.

First Minister John Swinney has hailed the decision as a "significant and positive development." The family has consistently argued that no credible evidence has been presented against Johal, and the case relies on unreliable witnesses. This development offers a glimmer of hope in a case that has drawn international attention and sparked concerns about human rights and due process.

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