Foreign Secretary urged to help Dumbarton man detained in India
The meeting took place ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to the UK on July 23 and 24, during which the UK-India trade deal is expected to be signed.
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Mr Johal, a British national from Dumbarton, was acquitted of all charges by the Moga District Court in Punjab on March 4 after prosecutors failed to present credible evidence over seven years.
Despite the acquittal and the court's rejection of the allegations against him, he remains in detention.
Mr McAllister stressed the importance of raising the case at the highest level, describing the Indian Prime Minister's visit as a "unique diplomatic opportunity" to resolve a matter that risks undermining UK-India relations.
He said: "After almost eight years of arbitrary detention, torture, and now a court acquittal, Jagtar's continued imprisonment serves no legitimate purpose and damages our bilateral relationship.
"The timing of the Indian Prime Minister's visit to the UK provides an exceptional opportunity to resolve this case diplomatically and allow both governments to move forward with a clean slate.
"I am very grateful to hear that this will receive the Prime Minister's personal attention, and that he will raise my constituent Jagtar's case with the Indian Prime Minister this week, and I wish to thank the Foreign Secretary David Lammy for this continued assistance to help secure Jagtar's release."
(Image: Supplied)
According to Mr McAllister, Mr Lammy assured him that Prime Minister Keir Starmer would raise Mr Johal's detention directly with Prime Minister Modi during their meeting on Thursday, July 24.
Mr McAllister said: "I was very pleased with the outcome of my meeting with the Foreign Secretary.
"He gave me his personal assurance that Keir Starmer will raise Jagtar Singh Johal's case with Prime Minister Modi on Thursday.
"The Foreign Secretary has also promised to meet with me again when parliament returns immediately after the summer recess."
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