Calls for British Government to Secure Release of Jagtar Singh…

Calls have intensified for the British government to intervene on behalf of Jagtar Singh Johal, a Sikh activist wrongly detained in India since 2017. Despite his acquittal on one charge, he still faces numerous unsubstantiated charges at the federal level. Advocacy groups and family members are urging immediate diplomatic action to ensure his release and reunification with his family.

The British government is facing calls to take action to secure the release of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British Sikh activist who has been detained in India since 2017. Although Mr. Johal has recently been acquitted of a case in Punjab, he still faces numerous charges at the federal level. His family and supporters express concern over the lack of credible evidence against him, emphasizing the need for immediate diplomatic intervention.

Mr. Johal was arrested in Punjab during his wedding in 2017 and has reportedly endured torture, including electric shocks. He has spent the past few years in solitary confinement in a Delhi prison, where his mental and physical well-being have become a concern. The United Nations has recognized his detention as arbitrary, adding urgency to calls for his release.

West Dunbartonshire MP Douglas McAllister has urged the government to leverage the recent court decision to press Indian authorities for Mr. Johal’s freedom. Similarly, advocacy groups, like Reprieve, highlight the absence of credible evidence against him in both the Punjab and the remaining federal cases. They emphasize that the repeated allegations in these cases lack substantiation, further underscoring the injustice of his ongoing detention.

The Sikh Federation welcomed the recent acquittal as a significant advancement in efforts to secure his release. Dabinderjit Singh from the Federation stated that the UK government should continue to exert pressure on India to ensure Mr. Johal can reunite with his family and begin to enjoy his married life. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has expressed support for Mr. Johal and assures that they are actively working to expedite the resolution of his case.

In summary, the British government is being urged to take decisive action for the release of Jagtar Singh Johal, who has been unjustly held in India despite recent acquittal in one case. Advocates emphasize the lack of credible evidence and the urgency of diplomatic engagement to ensure Mr. Johal’s return to his family. The push for his freedom continues as stakeholders stress the importance of ongoing advocacy and support from the UK government.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk