The brother of a British man languishing in an Indian prison for eight years without trial has revealed he is being routinely stopped and questioned by UK Border Police, raising serious concerns about government harassment.
Gurpreet Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, Scotland, is the leading campaigner for his brother Jagtar, who was arrested in 2017 during a visit to India and faces charges widely criticised by human rights organisations.
In a disturbing new development, Gurpreet told The Guardian that he is now consistently pulled aside for additional scrutiny by UK Border Force officers whenever he re-enters the country. This has occurred on multiple occasions, most recently at Glasgow Airport, where he was subjected to a prolonged interrogation.
A Pattern of Intimidation?
"They ask me: 'What is your purpose of travel? Who did you meet? What were you doing?'," Gurpreet stated. The questioning appears focused solely on his activism and efforts to free his brother, rather than standard immigration procedures.
The family and their legal representatives perceive these stops as a form of intimidation, potentially designed to discourage their high-profile campaign. This has sparked allegations of the UK government indirectly collaborating with Indian authorities.
Foreign Office Under Fire
The case of Jagtar Singh Johal has long been a thorn in UK-India relations. Despite former Prime Minister Boris Johnson raising the issue directly with Indian officials, and the Foreign Office consistently stating it provides consular support, progress has been negligible.
Critics argue the government's approach has been weak. A recent report by a cross-party group of MPs accused the Foreign Office of a "persistent failure" in effectively assisting Mr. Johal, highlighting the immense distress caused to his family.
The Home Office maintains that Border Force officers "conduct their duties fairly and impartially," but declined to comment on individual cases. This standard response offers little solace to the Johal family.
Eight Years and Counting
Jagtar Singh Johal’s ordeal began in 2017 when he was arrested in Punjab shortly after his wedding. He alleges he was tortured and forced into a confession. His supporters maintain he is a victim of persecution for his Sikh activism and blogging.
With his health deteriorating and a trial still not in sight, the ongoing targeting of his brother at the UK border adds another layer of anguish to what the family describes as a "living nightmare."
