Contributors Calum McKay and Katie Hunter report for BBC Scotland News that Jagtar Singh Johal, a Scottish Sikh man, was detained in India on terrorism charges for seven years. Arrested in 2017 in northern Punjab shortly after his wedding, Johal has been in prison since then, facing allegations related to targeted killings of religious and political figures. However, a verdict in the District Court in Moga, Punjab, has cleared him of conspiracy and being a part of a “terrorist gang.”
According to his legal team, the charges against Johal in all cases were remarkably similar, and they advocate for the dismissal of the remaining accusations. His brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, has urged the UK government to facilitate the release of the 38-year-old. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) expressed satisfaction with the developments in the case, emphasizing continued support for Johal and his family.
The allegations against Johal centered on his alleged involvement with the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), a terror group responsible for attacks in the Punjab region. Johal was accused of delivering funds to KLF operatives that were used to buy weapons for subsequent attacks. Following his wedding in early November 2017, he was reportedly seized by Punjab Police officers, sparking outrage among his supporters.
Johal’s defense asserts that the prosecution is politically motivated due to his past activism and deems the legal proceedings unfair. Amidst delays, his case finally saw a significant breakthrough with the recent verdict, leading to calls for his complete exoneration and repatriation to the UK. The ongoing trials in Delhi, brought by the National Investigation Agency, are the remaining hurdles Johal faces as he awaits justice and freedom
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