Scot freed from Indian prison still faces death-penalty threat, urges UK to act

Jagtar Singh Johal, a human-rights activist from Dumbarton, was arrested in India in 2017 on alleged terrorism offences and spent almost nine years in prison before being released on bail. Although out of jail, he remains subject to stringent bail conditions in Delhi, has had his passport confiscated and cannot travel or speak publicly about his case. Dan Dolan, deputy chief executive of Reprieve, said Johal’s confession was obtained through torture and that he faces multiple pending cases that could result in capital punishment.

Labour MP Douglas McAllister has pressed Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband to negotiate with Indian authorities for Johal’s safe return to Scotland. UN experts have labeled his detention arbitrary and highlighted psychological torture. Despite an acquittal on one charge last year, Johal still confronts eight outstanding allegations that carry the death penalty, leaving his future uncertain.