The desperate family of Jagtar Singh Johal is pleading with the prime minister to insist on his release – fearing he could be killed.
Gurpreet Singh Johal is calling on Boris Johnson to raise the case of his 34-year-old brother, known as Jaggi, during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Nahrendra Modi this month.
The former Our Lady and St Patrick’s pupil has been imprisoned in India since November 2017 – three weeks after travelling to the country for his wedding.
The Sikh human rights activist says he has been tortured in custody, over alleged involvement in the killings of right-wing Hindu leaders and the funding of a now-proscribed group.
Gurpreet, who has been tirelessly campaigning for his brother’s release, said: “Boris Johnson’s planned visit to India was cancelled so I am relieved this meeting is still taking place.
“The meeting will be almost three years since former Prime Minister Theresa May raised the case and we are still in the same position. It’s paramount Boris Johnson raises Jagtar’s plight.”
Human rights charity Reprieve, which say the risk of Jagtar being sentenced to death is “high”, has written to the prime minister demanding he raise the case during the remote meeting.
They claim he may have been targeted for his work highlighting human rights abuse against Sikh communities and say the only evidence against him is a videotaped ‘confession,’ recorded after he had been severely tortured for several days.
The letter, by joint executive director Maya Foa, states: “This call presents a crucial opportunity for you to call for the release of a British national, Jagtar Singh Johal, who is arbitrarily detained in India and now facing a possible death sentence.
“I ask that you use this meeting to ensure he is brought home.
“Jagtar’s imprisonment clearly amounts to arbitrary detention under international law. He has now been detained for more than three years without trial.
“The Foreign Secretary has previously said the FCDO calls for the release of British nationals and dual nationals where the FCDO believes “they have been arbitrarily detained”.
“Despite this, the Foreign Secretary has yet to heed the calls for Jagtar’s arbitrary detention to be put to an end, and we urge you to ensure government policy is applied in his case.”
A UK Government spokesperson said the Foreign Office is in regular contact with Jagtar’s family, commenting: “We have consistently raised concerns about his case with the government of India, including allegations of torture and mistreatment and his right to a fair trial. Ministers continue to raise our concerns directly with the government of India, including the need for an investigation into the allegations of torture.”
