More than seven years have passed since Jagtar Singh Johal, a Scottish Sikh activist from Dumbarton, was forcibly detained in India. The 38-year-old was visiting Punjab to celebrate his wedding when, on November 4, 2017, he was seized by police in broad daylight on the streets of Jalandhar. His family claims he was hooded and taken away without explanation.
Despite *no conviction in any case, Jagtar remains imprisoned. This week, he was acquitted in the first of nine cases filed against him. His detention has drawn international condemnation, with human rights organizations and UK politicians calling for his release and safe return home.
India Labels Him a Terrorist; Family Alleges Torture
The Indian government accuses Jagtar of being involved in terrorist activities, claiming he helped orchestrate the killings of seven people. Prosecutors allege that his website, which documented violence against Sikhs in Punjab, served as a link to extremist groups.
Authorities claim that in 2013, Jagtar traveled to Paris and handed over £3,000 to members of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), a group seeking an independent Sikh state. This money, officials say, funded the purchase of weapons used in targeted killings between 2016 and 2017.
However, his family strongly denies these allegations, stating that Jagtar is a peaceful activist who has been subjected to **torture* during his imprisonment. His legal team claims that he was coerced into signing blank documents and was forced to confess under duress.
Brother’s Campaign to Free Jagtar Gains Momentum
Jagtar’s brother, *Gurpreet Singh Johal, initially feared his sibling had been abducted. He later discovered that Jagtar was being held by Punjab Police, accused of being part of a terror cell. In a handwritten note smuggled out of prison, Jagtar described being beaten, given electric shocks, and threatened with **being burned alive.
A video released in December 2017 showed Jagtar in a *police cell allegedly confessing* to crimes. His family insists this was a forced confession, extracted through intimidation and torture. In response, Gurpreet launched a global campaign for Jagtar’s release, rallying politicians and human rights activists to bring international attention to his case.
Growing Pressure on UK Government to Intervene
The UK government has faced mounting pressure to take stronger diplomatic action. Several Members of Parliament and human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called for his immediate release.
The case of Jagtar Singh Johal highlights concerns over India’s treatment of political prisoners and the alleged use of torture in custody. As his legal battle continues, his family remains hopeful that international intervention will lead to his long-overdue release and return to Scotland.
