Claims British intelligence agencies tipped off the Indian authorities about a Dumbarton man – imprisoned since 2017 in India – explain why the UK Government has still to call for his release, a councillor has said.
Jagtar Singh Johal – known as Jaggi – was arrested in India after his wedding in November 2017, accused of helping to fund a Sikh-on-Hindu assassination plot. He and his family strongly deny the allegations.
Lawyers for Mr Johal have lodged a complaint against the UK Government after human rights group Reprieve say they uncovered evidence suggesting MI5 and MI6 passed information about a British national to foreign authorities, who then detained and tortured them, which matches details in Mr Johal’s case.
At a full meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council last week, members unanimously called on the Foreign Secretary to demand Jagtar is released – whilst WDC’s chief executive will write to other local authorities across the country urging them to do the same.
Jagtar has been in custody for almost five years after his family say he was snatched from the street by plain-clothes officers – just weeks after his wedding.
Earlier this year, he was formally charged with conspiracy to murder in India, with relatives fearing he could be sentenced to death if convicted.
His brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, was elected as a Labour councillor for the family’s hometown of Dumbarton in May, with members pledging their support to Jaggi’s cause.
A motion brought forward by Labour’s David McBride said: “The risk of Jagtar being sentenced to death is very high given the politicised nature of his case and the current political climate. Earlier this year, an Indian court sentenced 38 people to death in a single case.
“This council calls on the Foreign Secretary to advocate for the release of Jagtar Singh Johal and his return to the UK.
“Request that the council’s chief executive write to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) regarding Jagtar’s case and requests that copies of this motion be distributed to all councils in Scotland asking them to consider supporting.”
Giving his backing, former council leader Jonathan McColl expressed his disgust at the reports linking MI5 with Jagtar’s case.
He said: “I wholeheartedly support this motion and would thank Councillor McBride for bringing it forward.
“I have to say that the revelations about the activities of our own intelligence services were quite shocking to say the least.
“Within the motion it says that it’s UK Government policy to call for the release of arbitrarily detained UK nationals overseas.
“I think we now know why the UK Government didn’t do that. Perhaps they were concerned that this particular revelation would come to light.”
Jagtar’s brother, Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, sat outwith the chamber after declaring an interest – with members agreeing it was important to let him know that the Johal family has the full backing of WDC.
Provost Douglas McAllister said: “Everyone wishes to offer full support of our council to you, your brother and your family.”
