The brother of a British man who has been detained overseas since 2017 has said he is putting his faith in the Prime Minister ahead of a meeting between Sir Keir Starmer and the Indian Prime Minister.
Talks between Sir Keir and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India are seen as being a “unique opportunity” to seek a resolution to the case of Jagtar Singh Johal.
Mr Johal, a Sikh activist from Dumbarton near Glasgow, was arrested while in India for his wedding, and has been held ever since – despite having been cleared of one of the cases against him earlier this year.
But he still faces charges at a federal level, which his supporters – who claim an initial confession he made was as a result of torture – fear could take years to come to a conclusion.
However, campaigners at Reprieve, who have been working to free Mr Johal, say the talks between the UK and Indian leaders could be a “rare chance to make progress” in the case.
The Indian prime minister is visiting London to sign a landmark, free trade agreement between his country and the UK.
And Gurpreet Singh Johal, said: “I’m putting my faith in the Prime Minister to get this done and bring Jagtar home.”
He said Sir Keir had “recognised that Jagtar is arbitrarily detained” and that Foreign Secretary David Lammy had twice told him that “resolving the case is a priority for this Government”.
Mr Johal said: “That means it should be high on the agenda when the prime ministers meet.
“Over the last eight years, I’ve grown very tired of fine words and weak excuses for a lack of action, while my brother grows old in prison.
“The time is now – it would be devastating if the Prime Minister lets this golden opportunity slip away.”
Dan Dolan, deputy executive director of Reprieve, said returning Mr Johal to the UK should be a priority for Sir Keir when he has talks with his Indian counterpart on Thursday.
Mr Dolan said: “Jagtar has been found not guilty of the allegations against him, and it should be a priority for Keir Starmer to secure his release and return to Britain.
“Trying him again for the same crime, on the same evidence, is prohibited in India’s constitution and in international law.
“This is a clear cut case of double jeopardy and it is in everyone’s interests to see it resolved.
“This week’s talks are a rare chance to make progress at the very highest level.”
