Delhi court warning precedes release of Jagtar Singh Johal
The British Sikh activist had been held since 2017 without a full trial, despite a bail order issued by Delhi’s high court in September.
Jagtar Singh Johal has been released from a Delhi prison after the high court warned Indian government officials they risked contempt proceedings if they failed to comply with its bail order. The British Sikh activist had been detained since 4 November 2017.
The court ordered his release on bail on 18 September. His lawyers later petitioned the court, saying he remained in custody despite meeting the conditions. On Thursday, the high court directed the government to release him by 2.30pm Indian time.
Documents presented by Johal’s lawyers said prison officials had sought release permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs but received no response. The lawyers argued that continued detention lacked court authority and breached his fundamental rights.
Johal faces eight terrorism charges in a federal court and has not faced a full trial, according to the source. A Punjab court cleared him of largely similar charges. He says initial confessions were extracted under torture; the allegation is disputed.
His bail conditions include surrendering his passport, reporting fortnightly to an investigating officer and not travelling to Punjab. His detention has contributed to diplomatic tension between the UK and India.
