Brother of Jagtar Singh Johal “encouraged” after meeting with Foreign Secretary David Lammy

Gurpreet Singh Johal, the brother of Jagtar Singh Johal who has been detained in India for over seven years, recently met with Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Westminster. Jagtar, a Sikh activist, faces terror charges in India related to political violence. Gurpreet described the meeting as “encouraging” and expressed his hope for Jagtar’s safe return to Dumbarton. He emphasized the importance of tangible actions to secure Jagtar’s release.

Gurpreet has been advocating tirelessly for his brother’s release, meeting with various UK officials over the years to seek their support. Previous Foreign Secretaries have acknowledged Jagtar’s arbitrary detention but failed to secure his freedom. The current UK government has shown interest in Jagtar’s case, with both David Lammy and Prime Minister Keir Starmer recognising the injustice of Jagtar’s situation.

Following his meeting with David Lammy, Gurpreet also engaged with a group of Labour MPs to raise awareness about Jagtar’s prolonged detention. He stressed the need for continued pressure on the government until Jagtar is reunited with his family in Dumbarton. Human rights charity Reprieve has echoed these sentiments, urging the UK government to honour its commitment to seek Jagtar’s release.

West Dunbartonshire MP Douglas McAllister expressed his support for Jagtar’s case, highlighting the government’s responsibility to address this humanitarian issue. He noted a positive shift in the Foreign Secretary’s approach and expressed hope for a resolution in Jagtar’s favour. The collective efforts of Gurpreet, supportive MPs, and advocacy groups aim to bring Jagtar back home and end his unjust detainment.

In conclusion, Gurpreet Singh Johal’s recent meeting with Foreign Secretary David Lammy signifies a renewed push to secure his brother Jagtar’s release from detention in India. The ongoing advocacy and engagement with UK officials demonstrate a united effort to address Jagtar’s arbitrary imprisonment and bring him back to his family in Dumbarton. The commitment shown by various stakeholders reflects a promising development in the pursuit of justice for Jagtar Singh Johal.