India releases British Sikh blogger Johal on bail — Dawn

India has released on bail British Sikh blogger Jagtar Singh Johal, who had been held in custody since November 2017 in a case concerning an alleged conspiracy to murder right-wing Hindu leaders. On Thursday, he left Tihar Jail in New Delhi, where relatives greeted him with bouquets of flowers, Dawn reports.

The trial continues

Johal is from the town of Dumbarton in Scotland. He was detained in India nearly nine years ago when he travelled there for his own wedding. In March 2025, he was acquitted of one terrorism-related charge.

At the same time, court proceedings on eight other charges, including conspiracy to murder, have not yet been completed. The court granted Johal bail last month. The conditions of his release include bail of 500,000 rupees, or about $5,218, surrendering his passport and a ban on making press statements regarding the case.

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Statements by family and UN experts

The blogger's brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, said in a statement distributed by the British charity Reprieve that he could not believe the release until he saw Jagtar at the prison gates. According to him, the trial is ongoing and Johal could face the death penalty; the brother also said that he had not committed the crime of which he is accused.

British lawmaker Douglas McAllister, who represents Johal's area of residence in Scotland, previously welcomed the bail decision and said it was time to bring his constituent home. Independent UN experts said in April that Johal's prolonged detention amounted to psychological torture. They also mentioned allegations of electric shocks and death threats.