by BILL HEANEY
Given that he is innocent of the terrorism charges against him, it is an outrage that Jagtar Singh Johal from Oxhill in Dumbarton has been detained in prison for more than eight years by the government of India
There was a very real possibility this week, however, that the successful Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this month could turn out to be a lever to further Jagtar’s case for release.
Following the reception the Games received, especially at the spectacular closing ceremony at the Hydro in Glasgow, where Indian entertainers played such a major part, it is inevitable that diplomatic relations between India and the United Kingdom will now be at a significant high.
Such success was never anticipated, but the world of sport is now looking forward to the next Commonwealth Games, which will take place in India in 2030, with Gujarat’s largest city, Ahmedabad, hosting the centenary edition.
Meanwhile, Jagtar’s wife has spoken of the “pain” of being separated from her husband.
Gurpreet Kaur said she was “unbearably sad” that her life with Jagtar Singh Johal had been “taken away”.
Johal, 38, was arrested in connection with terror-related offences in the Punjab region while celebrating their honeymoon in November 2017.
He has not been convicted of any crime and in March was cleared in one of nine cases against him.
The Foreign Office said it continued to “raise concerns about Mr Johal’s prolonged detention at every appropriate opportunity with the government of India”.
Johal is accused of being a member of a terror group, the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), which has carried out attacks in the Punjab region.
His supporters say that in the days following his arrest in Jalandhar, he was tortured and coerced into signing a false confession to participation in the killings.
They believe he was targeted for blogging about alleged human rights abuses against the Sikh community in India.
The Indian authorities deny the torture claim and have repeatedly maintained due process is being followed.
Johal’s wife, Gurpreet Kaur, issued a statement saying: “It is impossible to describe the pain of being separated from Jagtar for so long. We were just beginning our life together, full of hope and love.
“When I look at the picture of us dancing, so happy, with the rings on our fingers symbolising our vows to each other, it makes me unbearably sad. I think of the years, the life that has been taken away from us.”
Legal charity Reprieve, which issued Gurpreet Kaur’s blurred picture and quotes, has criticised the process as unfair and said no “credible” evidence had been presented against Johal.
Reprieve said that police in Punjab had also lost his wedding ring and a gold chain which was the last gift he received from his mother before she died.
They said the items were confiscated during Johal’s arrest, but he was now entitled to the return of his property.
Ms Kaur added: “I don’t care about the gold chain or even the ring – I just need Jagtar back to start our married life together.”