British Sikh Activist Jagtar Singh Johal Released From Delhi Jail After Nine Years

British Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal has been released from a Delhi prison after nearly nine years in custody, following a court order granting him bail and a warning that authorities could face contempt proceedings if they failed to release him.

Johal, who is from Dumbarton, Scotland, was detained by Indian authorities in November 2017 and has remained in custody while facing terrorism related charges. He has not been convicted in the cases against him. His release follows a Delhi High Court order issued in September granting him bail in the cases before the court.

The latest development came after Johal’s legal team filed a habeas corpus petition, arguing that he continued to be held despite the court having ordered his release on bail.

The court subsequently directed authorities to release him by Thursday afternoon and warned that failure to comply could lead to contempt proceedings. Johal was eventually released later in the day, where he was met by relatives, friends and supporters.

According to documents presented by his lawyers, prison officials had contacted India’s Ministry of Home Affairs seeking clarification about his release but had not received a response.

Johal’s lawyers argued that he had satisfied the conditions imposed by the court and that continued detention therefore lacked legal authority.

His case has been a longstanding issue in relations between Britain and India and has attracted sustained attention from human rights organizations and campaigners. Reprieve has argued that Johal has spent almost nine years in detention without a completed trial.

Indian authorities have accused Johal of involvement with the Khalistan Liberation Force and allege that he was aware of a conspiracy linked to targeted killings in Punjab. Johal has denied the allegations and has said that statements attributed to him were obtained through torture.

The cases against him relate to allegations surrounding a series of killings and an alleged extremist network. Johal has previously been cleared of similar charges in a separate case in Punjab, while proceedings in other cases have continued.

His bail comes with a number of restrictions. These include surrendering his passport, providing a personal bond of 500,000 Indian rupees with two sureties, reporting regularly to the investigating officer and informing authorities in advance of any change of residence.

He has also been prohibited from travelling to Punjab and restricted from making direct or indirect public comments about the case through the media.

Johal’s brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, said the family had experienced years of uncertainty and found it difficult to believe that his brother would finally walk out of prison.

Human rights campaigners also welcomed the release while pointing out that the criminal proceedings against Johal have not ended. Reprieve said he remains at risk of a possible death sentence if convicted in the cases he continues to face.

The British government has been involved in discussions surrounding Johal’s detention. UK officials have previously raised his case with Indian authorities, while British campaign groups have continued to call for his release and for progress in the legal proceedings.

Johal’s detention has also prompted repeated debate over the length of time he has spent in custody before the conclusion of his cases. His supporters have argued that the prolonged detention raises serious questions about due process, while Indian authorities maintain the allegations against him.

The release on bail does not amount to an acquittal. Johal remains subject to the ongoing legal proceedings and the conditions imposed by the court.

For his family, however, the end of his prison detention marks a significant moment after almost nine years behind bars.

Johal’s case is now expected to continue through India’s judicial system, with the allegations against him yet to be finally determined by the courts.

Courtesy: theguardian