British Sikh blogger freed on bail after nearly nine years in Indian jail

India released British Sikh blogger Jagtar Singh Johal on bail on Thursday after nearly nine years in detention. Johal walked out of Tihar jail in New Delhi, according to an AFP journalist at the scene. He was detained in November 2017 over an alleged plot to kill right-wing Hindu leaders.

Why was Jagtar Singh Johal detained in India?

Johal was in India for his wedding when he was detained in November 2017 over an alleged plot to kill right-wing Hindu leaders. A court acquitted him of one terrorism-linked charge in March 2025. His trial continues on eight remaining charges, which include conspiracy to murder.

Johal, from Dumbarton in Scotland, was greeted by his parents and grandmother with garlands as he left the jail. A court granted him bail on those charges this month.

What are the conditions of Jagtar Singh Johal's bail?

Several bail conditions have been attached to his release. These include a bond of 500,000 rupees ($5,218) and the surrender of his passport. He has also been barred from making any statements about the case to the press.

What have his family, lawmakers and UN experts said?

His brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, said in a statement shared by British charity Reprieve that "there have been so many setbacks and disappointments in the last nine years that I didn't dare to believe it until I saw Jagtar walking out of the prison gates with my own eyes".

"The fight continues, because he's still on trial and facing the death penalty for something he didn't do... We'll keep on fighting until he's home with us."

British lawmaker Douglas McAllister, who represents Johal's council area in Scotland, welcomed the news of his bail last week. He said it was time to bring his constituent "back home".

Independent UN experts warned in April that Johal's prolonged detention amounted to "psychological torture". The warning included allegations of electrocution and death threats.