Scottish Sikh activist released on bail after nearly nine years in India

Scottish Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal has been released from detention in India after spending almost nine years in prison without being convicted. Johal, 39, from Dumbarton, was arrested in Punjab in 2017, weeks after his wedding. Indian authorities accuse him of belonging to the Khalistan Liberation Force and of helping finance weapons used in planned or attempted killings of religious and political figures in Punjab.

The allegations relate to claims that he travelled to Paris in 2013 and handed about £3,000 to the armed organisation. Johal denies the accusations. His supporters say he was targeted because of blogs about alleged human rights abuses against Sikhs and that he was forced to sign a false confession.

Delhi High Court granted him bail on September 18, but he remained in custody until his release. His conditions include surrendering his passport and a ban on speaking to the media about the case. He still faces federal charges in eight other cases and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Johal was acquitted last year in a case alleging that he financially supported the KLF. His lawyers argue that the remaining cases are substantially similar and should be dismissed. The bail order said the trials were not likely to conclude soon, after hundreds of hearings over nine years.

A United Nations panel recognised his imprisonment as arbitrary detention in 2022. Johal has also alleged that he was tortured, a claim Indian authorities have denied while maintaining that due process is being followed. His brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, called the release an important milestone but said it was only a first step.

UK legal charities Redress and Reprieve also welcomed the development, while stressing that Johal remained at risk because of the outstanding charges.