Jagtar Singh Johal case: Shocking reports put spotlight on UK spy agencies' role. This is what happened

Jagtar Singh Johal is a 34-year-old British national, who was allegedly arrested in November 2017 during his visit to India. His initial arrest was related to an arms recovery case, but he was later charged in seven different cases, including five murders and two attempts to murder.

Johal is allegedly known to write stories about Sikhs, who have faced persecution in India, claimed media reports. UK intelligence agencies, MI6 and MI5, informed the Indian authorities, which led to his arrest by the Punjab Police, media reports said.

Johal claimed that he was tortured for several days, but the Indian government has denied all the allegations. He mentioned that he was made to sign blank sheets of paper, which were later used against him as false confessions.


Initially, he was denied access to lawyers or British officials, said media reports. He is currently held in a Delhi prison and is facing a possible death penalty.

Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister, mentioned that he raised this case in April this year with PM Narendra Modi. Theresa May also took up this case during her tenure. Indian authorities note that charges on him are related to Khalistani activities, but Johal has denied the same.



Johal has claimed to be a blogger and campaigned for Sikh human rights, which is allegedly said to be why he caught the attention of the Indian authorities. His brother Gurpreet also mentioned that he wasn’t aware of any activities, which could be considered illegal.

Johal’s case was published anonymously by the UK’s investigation commission. Reprieve, a human rights organisation, claimed that they have solid evidence proving that British intelligence tipped the Indian government officials about him.

The UK government refused to comment on the ongoing legal case. His lawyers have lodged a complaint in London at the High Court Justice against the Foreign Office, the attorney general and the Home Office for unlawfully releasing information even when there was a risk of torture.

The Reprieve mentioned that the government has not learned its lesson from the case of Abdulhakim Belhaj, whose MI6 tip-off led to his torture.