A British Sikh man who has been imprisoned in India on terrorism charges for more than seven years has reportedly been moved to solitary confinement, as stated by his brother and a human rights group. Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, was arrested in Punjab shortly after his wedding in 2017 and was accused of involvement in targeted killings of religious and political figures. Despite facing nine criminal cases in Punjab and Delhi, he was acquitted in the first case last month, with his family and legal representatives emphasizing that the evidence against him largely hinges on a confession made under extreme duress.
Expressing concerns over his brother’s deteriorating conditions post-acquittal, Gurpreet Singh Johal addressed the All Party Parliamentary Group on arbitrary detention, highlighting the lack of urgency displayed by the UK government. He noted that Jagtar’s privileges have been revoked, and he is now isolated in a separate cell without contact with other inmates, leading to severe mental anguish. Previously subjected to periods of solitary confinement, Mr. Johal mentioned that the current conditions are the most stringent his brother has faced in years, despite the momentous occasion of his recent court victory.
On 4 March, following Jagtar’s exoneration in the initial case, the Johal family experienced a brief respite, hoping for similar outcomes in the remaining charges predicated on the same contested evidence. Expressing disappointment in the British government’s response, Mr. Johal criticized the delayed offer for a meeting with the Foreign Secretary, stressing the immediate need for expedited action to secure his brother’s release. Emphasizing the imperative for prompt intervention, Human Rights charity Reprieve echoed these sentiments, asserting that the time is ripe for the British government to advocate for Jagtar’s return home in light of the recent judicial ruling in India.
While the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office reiterated its commitment to hasten progress on Jagtar’s case and expressed ongoing support for him and his family, concerns linger over the perceived sluggish response to the urgent situation. The Foreign Secretary’s offer of a future meeting with Mr. Johal’s brother and Reprieve’s representatives has been critiqued for its delayed timeline, with advocates pushing for swifter action to address the pressing matter. As stakeholders await the Indian High Commission’s response to these developments, the calls for Jagtar Singh Johal’s release remain at the forefront of the ongoing efforts to secure justice and freedom for the embattled detainee
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
