British man granted bail after being detained in India for nearly nine years

A British man who has been detained in India for nearly nine years without conviction has been granted bail - but must remain in the country facing trial over alleged terror offences.

Jagtar Singh Johal, 39, from Dumbarton, Scotland, was arrested and bundled into an unmarked car just two weeks after his wedding in Punjab, northern India, in 2017, according to his family.

His brother Gurpreet Singh Johal said on Friday that Delhi High Court has overturned a previous 2024 decision and granted him bail.

Speaking to Sky News presenter Samantha Washington, he said it was a "tremendous moment for the family who have been campaigning" for his release for nearly nine years.

But Gurpreet said his brother will still have to remain in India while he is still facing trial.

"This is a momentous moment for the family. After almost nine years, Jagtar is finally going to be able to at least be out at liberty while the cases are ongoing and it's been a credit to the supporters who have been campaigning for Jagtar's release," Gurpreet said.

"So, a good moment for us to celebrate today that the courts have granted Jagtar bail and hopefully within a week or so, he should be released at liberty. However, he would have to stay in India during that process."

Claims of torture

Mr Johal was acquitted last year of financially supporting a terror group, but he could still be charged with federal offences in the country related to the same allegations and could still face the death penalty if convicted.

His family say he was detained for blogging about alleged human rights abuses against the Sikh community.

He is said to have been tortured, including with electric shocks, and forced to sign a confession to being part of an assassination plot as a result of his campaigning for Sikh rights.

A group of UN experts said his imprisonment is an example of arbitrary detention, where a person is jailed without a legal basis, and said he has endured "a form of psychological torture".

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Indian authorities have previously denied the torture claim and repeatedly maintained due process is being followed.

Jaspal Singh Maujhpur, a lawyer acting for Mr Johal, told Sky News India correspondent Neville Lazarus Mr Johal will have to meet bail conditions and won't be returning to Scotland "any time soon".

"Jaggi has to face trial here in India, the charges...are serious. Lets see when the trial happens. Jaggi has a home here as his in-laws live in Punjab. He will have to stay here till the time he is acquitted."

Bail conditions include 500,000 rupee bond

According to a court order obtained by Sky News, only 40 witnesses have been examined with another 123 whose testimony is yet to be recorded.

Mr Johal's bail conditions include a bond of 500,000 rupees (around £3,900), the surrender of his passport, and not making any public comment on the case, according to the document.

His family have long campaigned for the British government to help secure his release and his brother criticised the lack of action from successive administrations.

"If the government show political will, I believe that Jagtar could be back before the end of the year. If the government don't show political will, then these cases can take up to 40 years for it to conclude," Gurpreet said.

But he said hope keeps the family going and they "will continue to battle until Jagtar is back home".

"Jagtar is a British born and bred national. He deserves to be back home," he added.

'Let's bring him home'

Mr Johal's constituency MP Douglas McAllister welcomed the "wonderful news" of the "breakthrough" after years of campaigning.

"We obviously are still waiting to understand the terms of the bail conditions but at last, he will be freed from an Indian prison," he said in a post on X.

"As MP for West Dunbartonshire, I will continue to work with Jagtar's family and team to push for his return home to Dumbarton and his family where he belongs. We now need the swift conclusion to all his outstanding cases. Let's bring him home!"

(c) Sky News 2026: British man granted bail after being detained in India for nearly nine years