New Dehli: Scottish Sikh Jagtar Singh Johal has been acquitted in one of nine terror-related cases in India.
He was arrested in Punjab in 2017, weeks after his wedding, and has been imprisoned since.
Johal faced allegations of involvement in targeted killings of religious and political leaders.
A court in Moga, Punjab, ruled that conspiracy charges and terrorist group membership accusations were unfounded.
His legal team argues that identical allegations in all cases should now be dismissed.
Family’s Plea
His brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, has urged the UK government to intervene and secure his release.
“My brother has wasted seven years in jail. The UK government must bring him home,” he stated.
Johal was accused of being a member of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), a banned terror group.
Authorities alleged he traveled to Paris in 2013 to deliver £3,000 to KLF members.
The funds were allegedly used to buy weapons for attacks in Punjab between 2016 and 2017.
Controversial Arrest
Supporters claim Johal was abducted by plainclothes Punjab Police officers in November 2017.
They allege he was tortured and forced into signing a false confession.
His legal team argues the charges stem from his activism on Sikh rights in Punjab.
They assert that his trial process has been unfair and politically motivated.
Indian authorities deny any mistreatment and insist that due process has been followed.
Ongoing Trials
The Moga court’s ruling marks a major turning point in Johal’s lengthy legal battle.
Despite this acquittal, he still faces eight other terror-related cases.
These cases will be tried in Delhi under India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA).
His lawyers insist that, given the lack of evidence, all remaining charges should be dropped.
His brother expressed hope, saying, “The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.”
Flawed Evidence
The defense team has questioned the reliability of evidence presented against Johal.
They claim the prosecution relied on statements from unreliable witnesses.
Some witnesses later retracted their statements in court, weakening the case.
Others refused to testify, and the prosecution failed to produce key witnesses.
Johal’s lawyers argue the case lacks credible evidence and should be dismissed entirely.
International Concerns
Johal’s detention has drawn criticism from human rights groups and UN experts.
In May 2022, a UN panel called his imprisonment “arbitrary” and demanded his immediate release.
They said Johal was targeted due to his activism, religious beliefs, and political opinions.
UK and Indian governments have discussed his case diplomatically since his arrest.
West Dunbartonshire MP Douglas McAllister urged urgent diplomatic action to free Johal.
Call for Justice
Human rights group Reprieve called his continued imprisonment a “mockery of justice.”
Johal faces the death penalty despite being cleared in one case.
Activists stress that he should not spend decades in prison without credible evidence.
His case presents an opportunity for the UK government to negotiate his return.
His family and supporters continue pushing for his immediate release.
