In November 2017, Scottish citizen and Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal (Jaggi) was abducted with a sack thrown over his head whilst visiting India for his wedding. He has since then been imprisoned in Tihar Jail, the largest prison complex in India, after being wrongfully implicated for the murder of Hindu Nationalists and for allegedly funding Sikh separatists. It has been almost 1000 days now that Jaggi has been detained. During this time, he has reported of being tortured and has attended 132 preliminary hearings alongside 46 trial hearings, where they have found no evidence against him in order to prosecute him. His family are yet to see an official charge sheet.

Theresa May put forward Jaggi's case to the Indian Prime Minister in April 2018, but since then there has been no progress made on the case. In addition, Boris Johnson was also approached and asked for an update on his case by a member of the Sikh public in November 2019, yet provided a disappointing response that 'the state is currently looking into the issue'. Due to the subsequent lack of regard and deliberation, Jaggi's family have not heard from him since September 5th 2019. Now because of the prevalence of Covid-19, Tihar Jail went into lockdown with the rest of India, and prison authorities have suspended all visits, including for consular access therefore meaning the family have had no update on his wellbeing.

We now once again urge the UK government and our MPs to raise this case with the government of India for the release of Jaggi from Tihar Jail, and for him to safely return home to his family. His family have expressed concerns about their family history of respiratory conditions, which puts Jaggi at a higher risk of Covid-19. The family have also voiced how if this was the case of a white UK citizen, firmer and more urgent action would have been taken. We must stand up and fight against the poor protection of BAME lives and human rights. 

Please help us seek justice for Jaggi.

#FreeJaggiNow