For Gurpreet Singh Johal, seeing his younger brother walk out of Delhi’s Tihar Prison marked an emotional moment after almost nine years of uncertainty.
Jagtar Singh Johal, a British Sikh activist from Dumbarton, Scotland, was released on bail this week after spending years in Indian custody over terrorism-related allegations.
The 39-year-old was arrested in November 2017, shortly after travelling to India for his wedding. Although he is now outside prison, the legal case against him has not ended. He remains subject to strict bail conditions and still faces terrorism-related charges.
Arrest Shortly After His Wedding Changed His Life
Jagtar travelled to India in 2017 to marry his wife, Gurpreet Kaur.
On November 4 of that year, he was taken away in Jalandhar by men in plain clothes, according to accounts documented by UN experts. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recorded allegations that he was hooded, forced into an unmarked vehicle and held without access to his family, lawyers or British consular representatives for a period of time.
His family has consistently rejected the allegations against him and has maintained that his detention and prosecution were unjust.
His Brother Flew to India Searching for Answers
Gurpreet has recalled receiving an early-morning phone call from his sister-in-law informing him that Jagtar had been taken and that the family did not know where he was.
The Scottish lawyer subsequently travelled to India with another brother in an attempt to locate him.
The experience left a lasting impact on the family, particularly after they learned of the allegations that Jagtar had been subjected to mistreatment during his detention.
According to documents submitted to the United Nations, Jagtar alleged that he was subjected to electric shocks, painful stress positions, sleep deprivation and threats of death. He also alleged that he was forced to sign blank documents.
UN Experts Raised Serious Concerns Over His Detention
Jagtar’s treatment has attracted scrutiny from international human rights experts.
In a 2021 opinion, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that his detention was arbitrary and called for his immediate release. The group also raised concerns about alleged torture, discrimination and violations of his fair-trial rights.
UN experts have continued to raise concerns about the case. A communication published in April 2026 again identified allegations concerning torture, arbitrary detention, terrorism charges and Jagtar’s status as a human rights defender.
Indian Authorities Maintain Serious Allegations Against Him
Indian prosecutors have accused Jagtar of involvement in a conspiracy linked to the Khalistan Liberation Force, an organisation authorities describe as a terrorist group.
The allegations include conspiracy to murder and other terrorism-related offences. Jagtar and his family deny the accusations.
The legal proceedings have continued for years, with Jagtar facing remaining federal charges despite being acquitted in one related terrorism case in March 2025.
His recent bail therefore does not amount to an acquittal or an end to the prosecution.
One Case Has Already Ended in Acquittal
Jagtar’s legal position has changed over the course of the lengthy proceedings.
In March 2025, he was acquitted in one terrorism-related case after the court found insufficient evidence for a conviction, according to reports on his case.
He nevertheless remained imprisoned while other cases continued.
The Delhi High Court subsequently granted bail in the remaining cases, allowing him to leave Tihar after almost nine years behind bars.
Bail Comes With Significant Restrictions
Jagtar’s release does not mean that he is free to leave India or speak publicly without restrictions.
Reports say his bail conditions include surrendering his passport and restrictions on travelling to Punjab and communicating with the media. His legal proceedings will continue while he remains outside prison.
The restrictions mean that the family’s campaign for a final resolution to the case is continuing even after his release from Tihar.
Family Says Nine Years Cannot Be Recovered
For Gurpreet, the release brings relief but also highlights the years his brother has lost.
Jagtar spent much of his adult life in custody, including years of his marriage. During that period, members of his extended family died, while other important family events passed without him.
Gurpreet has said the years taken from his brother’s life cannot simply be returned now that he has left prison.
Reprieve Has Supported the Family’s Campaign
The family has worked with human rights organisations, including Reprieve, throughout Jagtar’s detention.
The organisation has argued that the prosecution is heavily dependent on alleged confessions obtained after torture. Jagtar’s allegations of torture have also been examined by UN experts, who have called for an independent investigation.
The case has consequently become the subject of a wider international human rights campaign involving lawyers, campaigners and British politicians.
UK Government Says It Has Raised the Case
The British Government has repeatedly said that it has raised Jagtar’s case with Indian authorities.
Parliamentary records show that British ministers have raised concerns over his prolonged detention, allegations of torture and his right to a fair trial on numerous occasions. In 2023, the government said the case had been raised with Indian officials more than 110 times.
In December 2025, the government said ministers had continued discussions with India and that consular staff regularly visited Jagtar in detention.
Following his release, a UK Government spokesperson said officials remained in contact with Jagtar’s family and would continue providing consular support.
The Legal Battle Is Not Over
Jagtar’s release represents a major change after almost nine years in custody, but it does not settle the allegations against him.
He remains subject to bail conditions and still faces outstanding terrorism-related proceedings in India.
For his family, the immediate priority has shifted from securing his release from prison to pursuing the conclusion of the remaining legal cases and addressing the allegations of torture and mistreatment that have followed the case since his arrest.
After years behind bars, Jagtar is finally outside prison — but his legal journey is still continuing.
