Keir Starmer reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British man who has been imprisoned in India for nearly eight years. The Prime Minister’s statement followed a plea from Jagtar’s brother, Gurpreet, urging Starmer to intervene decisively before crucial discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai. Jagtar, a 38-year-old Sikh activist from Dumbarton, Scotland, was arrested in India shortly after his wedding in 2017.
Although acquitted in one case earlier this year, Jagtar still faces charges by Indian authorities, including terror allegations. He has alleged being subjected to torture, and in 2022, a UN panel recognized his detention as arbitrary. Starmer emphasized that Jagtar’s case has not been forgotten, citing discussions with PM Modi and ongoing efforts by the Foreign Secretary to engage with the family.
Gurpreet emphasized the lack of evidence produced against Jagtar in the past eight years, urging Starmer to push for his brother’s release. The Foreign Office reiterated their commitment to raising concerns about Jagtar’s prolonged detention with the Indian government and announced an upcoming meeting between the Foreign Secretary and Jagtar’s brother to address the situation.