Gurpreet Singh Johal, the brother of Jagtar Singh Johal who has been detained in India for more than seven years, recently met with Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Westminster. Jagtar, a former OLSP pupil from Dumbarton, faces terrorism charges in India after being arrested in 2017 while visiting Punjab for his wedding. Gurpreet described the meeting as “encouraging” and expressed hope that the UK government would take necessary steps to secure Jagtar’s release and return to Scotland.
This meeting is significant as David Lammy becomes the fifth Foreign Secretary to engage with Gurpreet about Jagtar’s case. Previous Foreign Secretaries, including Jeremy Hunt, Liz Truss, James Cleverly, and David Cameron, have also been involved in discussions. Even Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has written to former leaders Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, urging them to seek Jagtar’s release. Both David Lammy and Starmer agree that Jagtar is being detained arbitrarily without legal basis.
Gurpreet highlighted the importance of tangible action in securing Jagtar’s release, stating that words alone won’t bring his brother back home to Dumbarton. The support from Scottish Labour MPs and human rights charities like Reprieve has been crucial in keeping Jagtar’s case in the public eye. West Dunbartonshire MP Douglas McAllister emphasised the need for concrete steps to resolve Jagtar’s situation and bring him back to his family.
The ongoing advocacy and efforts by Gurpreet, supported by various stakeholders, demonstrate the unwavering commitment to justice and the safe return of Jagtar Singh Johal. The international attention on Jagtar’s case underscores the importance of upholding human rights and ensuring due process for individuals facing arbitrary detention. It is a testament to the power of collective action and advocacy in seeking justice for those unjustly imprisoned.