Scottish First Minister Demands Release of Jagtar Singh Johal from Indian Prison

John Swinney expresses grave concern over the nearly seven-year detention and alleged torture of the Scottish Sikh activist.

Jagtar Singh Johal, a Sikh activist from Dumbarton, has been imprisoned in India since November 2017 on charges of conspiracy to murder related to political violence.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in 2022 found Johal's detention lacked a legal basis and called for his immediate release.
John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister, met with Johal’s family and pledged to lobby the UK government and international bodies for his release.
Johal's family alleges he has been tortured, including with electric shocks, a claim denied by Indian authorities.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has committed to addressing the case with Indian officials, particularly concerning allegations of torture and the right to a fair trial.