The family of a Dumbarton man imprisoned in India have revealed their hope for his release after a “positive” meeting with the foreign secretary.
Jagtar Singh Johal, 32, has now been incarcerated for more than 16 months accused of terrorism offences.
His relatives have been working tirelessly to secure his release, saying he is an innocent man and claiming he has been subjected to torture while incarcerated.
Brother Gurpreet Singh Johal met with foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt last week and Mark Field, minister for Asia alongside his wife, Jagtar’s wife and West Dunbartonshire MP Martin Docherty-Hughes.
Gurpreet, 33, said: “The meeting seemed to go really well.
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“He understood where we were coming from. There’s things we can’t discuss in public about what was said but he gave us ample time to speak and didn’t rush us.
“We were given assurances, which I believe will have an impact in moving forward.”
He also extended his thanks to the campaigners, including the community of Dumbarton, who he credited with making the meeting possible.
The lawyer said: “Our family are grateful for all the ongoing support.
“We had been trying to arrange this meeting for a long time and it was made possible due to all the pressure put on the UK Government.
“The people of Dumbarton have given us lots of support and are always asking us about Jagtar.”
Jagtar, known as Jaggi, has been held in India since November 4, 2017 after travelling to the Punjab for his wedding.
MP Martin Docherty-Hughes has welcomed Mr Hunt’s assurances and described the meeting as “an important step forward”.
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He said: “The foreign secretary has listened to the concerns of Jagtar’s family and given his personal assurances that they have his full support.
“This is to be welcomed and I believe there may be an opportunity now to make progress in ensuring proper due process in Jagtar’s case.”
In a tweet following the meeting, Jeremy Hunt said: “Mark Field, Minister for Asia, and I met Martin Docherty-Hughes MP and members of Jagtar Singh Johal’s family earlier to discuss his case. Mark, and Foreign and Commonwealth staff in the UK and India have been and will continue to do all they can to support Jagtar and his family.”
