Key facts
- Jagtar Singh Johal, a 39-year-old British national from Dumbarton, has been granted bail by the Delhi High Court.
- Johal has been detained in India since 2017, facing alleged terrorism offences.
- His family announced the bail decision on Friday, stating he could be released as early as next week.
- A UN panel previously described Johal's imprisonment as arbitrary detention and a form of psychological torture.
- He was acquitted last year in a case involving accusations of financially supporting the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF).
- Johal still faces federal charges in India related to the same allegations.
Jagtar Singh Johal, a British national from Dumbarton, Scotland, has been granted bail by the Delhi High Court after being detained in India for nearly nine years without conviction. His family announced the decision on Friday, expressing immense relief and calling it a significant milestone in their campaign to bring him home. Johal was arrested in 2017 in connection with alleged terrorism offences, just weeks after his wedding.
His brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, stated that Jaggi, as he is known, could be released as early as next week after bail was granted for seven cases. He described the news as a major step and a significant moment for his brother and their family, who have endured a difficult nine years. Johal's wife has been deeply emotional since hearing the news.
Last year, Johal was acquitted in a case where he was accused of financially supporting the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), a group that has carried out attacks in the Punjab region. However, he still faces federal charges from Indian authorities related to the same allegations. A group of UN experts has previously recognized his imprisonment as arbitrary detention and suggested he has endured "a form of psychological torture."
Indian authorities have consistently denied claims of torture and maintained that due process is being followed. Johal's supporters argue he was targeted for blogging about alleged human rights abuses against the Sikh community in India and was coerced into signing a false confession. Legal charities Redress and Reprieve, representing Johal in the UK, welcomed the judgment but noted that Johal still faces the death penalty for "trumped up charges" and that bail conditions are likely to be onerous. They emphasized the need for accountability for alleged torture and flawed proceedings.