Jagtar Singh Johal: Family of Scot jailed in India for seven years 'hopeful' after foreign secretary meeting

The family of a Scottish man imprisoned in India for seven years is “hopeful” after meeting with the foreign secretary.

Jagtar Singh Johal, a Sikh activist from Dumbarton, was in Punjab, northern India, for his wedding in 2017 when his family said he was arrested and bundled into an unmarked car.

He is said to have been tortured, including with electric shocks, and faces the death penalty as a result of his campaigning for Sikh rights.

In 2022, a United Nations panel acknowledged Johal had been arbitrarily detained in India.

Johal’s brother Gurpreet Singh Johal, who has campaigned for him to be set free, met with the foreign secretary David Lammy in Westminster on Wednesday.

Following the meeting, Gurpreet said he felt “hopeful” the new UK Government will “do what is right”.

He said: “Over the last seven years, I’ve heard a lot of empty talk from previous foreign secretaries about my brother’s case.

“After today’s meeting I’m a lot more hopeful that this new Government will do what is right.”

Gurpreet added: “David Lammy listened to what we had to say and the solutions we proposed – unlike his predecessors.”

“But the proof is in the pudding and that means getting Jagtar out of prison and back to Dumbarton.”

Lammy is the fifth foreign secretary Gurpreet has met, following previous meetings with Jeremy Hunt, Liz Truss, James Cleverly and David Cameron.

He is also the seventh foreign secretary since Jagtar was detained in 2017.

Labour MP for West Dunbartonshire Douglas McAllister said: “Jagtar Singh Johal belongs in West Dunbartonshire and getting him home is very important to me.

“Today the foreign secretary made clear that he views the case as a priority and I hope we will now see that put into practice.”

McAllister added that previous foreign secretary’s failed the family because “they lacked the political will to resolve Jagtar’s situation”.

“Today I got the sense the Foreign Secretary intends to do better, and I hope for Jagtar and the family’s sake we now see that”.

Dan Dolan, director of advocacy and policy at advocacy group Reprieve, said: “The foreign secretary and Prime Minister both took strong, principled positions on Jagtar’s case in opposition, recognising that he is arbitrarily detained and saying the Government should seek his release.

“We’re calling on them to honour those commitments. They have an opportunity to do better than the last government and bring Jagtar home to his family in Dumbarton.”

The meeting comes after First Minister, John Swinney, called for Mr Johal’s immediate release in September after meeting with his family.

Swinney said he is “gravely concerned” for Johal and praised the “resilience” of his relatives.

A spokesperson for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “The Foreign Secretary met Mr Johal’s brother, Member of Parliament, and a representative from Reprieve today.

“The UK Government is committed to working for faster progress on Jagtar’s case, and FCDO consular staff continue to support Mr Johal and his family.”