UN Experts Condemn 'Psychological Torture' of British Man Detained in India
UN human rights experts have issued a stark condemnation of the continued detention of a British man in India, describing his eight-year ordeal as "a form of psychological torture" and a "profound miscarriage of justice." The experts assert there is no justification for the ongoing imprisonment of Jagtar Singh Johal, a 39-year-old from Dumbarton near Glasgow.
A Prolonged Ordeal Without Trial
Mr Johal was apprehended by Indian authorities in 2017, just weeks after his wedding in the country, and has remained in custody ever since. Despite being acquitted last year of charges alleging financial support for a terror group, he continues to face federal charges brought by the Indian government.
In a joint statement, ten UN experts urged the Indian government to immediately drop the remaining charges and ensure Mr Johal's swift release. They declared: "Eight-and-a-half years of arbitrary detention without a clear path to trial is not justice, it is unlawful suffering. The prolonged uncertainty alone is a form of psychological torture."
The experts emphasized that international law is unequivocal: torture includes severe mental suffering caused by prolonged uncertainty while awaiting trial. They noted: "Time is not neutral. The long wait for an outcome has already caused intolerable anxiety and stress, and constitutes an unacceptable harm prohibited under international human rights law."
UN Recognition and Family Appeals
Mr Johal's imprisonment was recognised by a UN panel as arbitrary detention in 2022, and he has claimed to have been tortured. Indian authorities have previously denied the torture claim and maintain due process is being followed.
The UN experts, including Special Rapporteurs on torture, freedom of religion, minority issues, and counter-terrorism, along with members of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, have sent a new communication about the case to Indian authorities and said they will monitor developments.
Mr Johal's brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, met Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in December and has reiterated calls for the UK Government to act. He stated: "This is the strongest intervention yet from the UN. It is clear as day to legal experts that my brother should not be in prison and that keeping him there for eight years without any evidence is a terrible injustice."
He criticized the UK Government's response, saying: "The Foreign Secretary talks about respecting India's 'independent legal system' when the truth is that my brother is trapped in a hell of endless hearings where no evidence is presented against him and no progress made." He also questioned Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's commitment, noting Starmer had previously supported UN calls for release.
Legal Charities and Government Response
Mr Johal is represented in the UK by the legal charities Redress and Reprieve, which have also called for action. Rupert Skilbeck, director of Redress, said: "The UK Government should be doing more to end this injustice against a British citizen." Dan Dolan, deputy chief executive of Reprieve, added: "This important intervention should be a wake-up call for the UK Government, which is not doing nearly enough to help this young British man."
The UK Government has been asked for comment on the matter, as the case continues to draw international scrutiny and demands for resolution.
