UK MPs demand release of jailed British Sikh facing terror charges in India
UK MPs demand release of jailed British Sikh facing terror charges in India
TOI Correspondent from London:
More than 100
UK MPs
and peers have signed a letter urging foreign secretary David Lammy to take 'quick and decisive'
diplomatic action
to secure the release of
Jagtar Singh Johal
, a British Sikh jailed in India since 2017 on terrorism charges.
Johal, also known as Jaggi, is lodged in New Delhi's
Tihar jail
and denies all allegations, including terrorism, murder of political and religious figures, and ties to Khalistan Liberation Force. Johal, in his late 30s, is accused of funding terrorist activities and conspiracy, but not direct involvement in the alleged crimes.
His MP Douglas McAllister led the letter to Lammy, saying Johal was acquitted on March 4, 2025, in one of nine cases at Moga district court in Punjab due to 'no credible evidence'. The letter says since the same evidence underpins the other eight cases — now under NIA — they too should be dropped.
Supreme Court last week declined to rule on Johal's seven pending bail applications and gave no timeframe for resolution.
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Calling his detention 'arbitrary,' the letter claims Johal was tortured and 'forced to give a confessional statement'. The British lawmakers urged Lammy to press Indian officials for Johal's release on bail, pending case discontinuation.
Lammy is scheduled to meet Johal's brother Gurpreet Singh Johal on May 8. 'Indian authorities will keep him in prison for decades if UK govt doesn't act,' Gurpreet said.
UK govt has raised concerns with India, including allegations of torture and mistreatment, though activists say the response has been insufficient. 'For him to remain imprisoned for decades, as duplicate trials drag on in defiance of the principle of double jeopardy, would be an obscene injustice,' said Dan Dolan, interim deputy executive director at Reprieve US, a human rights organisation.
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