A British MP, Martin Docherty has raised the issue of arrest of activist Jagtar Sing Johal in the House of Commons in UK. Jagtar Singh Johal was in Punjab ahead of his wedding when he was forced in to van by Punjab Police. It was said that he was targeted because of his work in highlighting the Sikh genocide in 1984.
The crimes against him were reported to be ‘running a magazine’ in Uk about atrocities during the 1984 Sikh genocide and ‘influencing the youth through social media’.
It is said that the police were in plain clothes when he was arrested. He appeared in court the next day when police had asked for a ten day remand, but were only granted five days by the Judge.
The family of Jagtar Singh Johal were not allowed to meet him at his court appearance on the 10th of November and there were fears that he was being tortured.
Source: AAP Image/Family handout/PA Wire
has reported that this remand period has now been extended to 17th November. In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the Sikh Federation (UK) said: "In our view this is to allow the police to continue with their brutal torture to try and extract a false confession in the absence on any evidence against Jagtar Singh, who only visited Punjab this year to get engaged and married.
"His passport, that has been lodged by the family with the British High Commission in Delhi, proves he has not been to Pakistan as claimed by the police and the Chief Minister of Punjab."
Now, a British MP has raised concerns in the House of Commons, about the circumstances of Johal’s arrest and imprisonment in India. In his speech, he said that his constituent Jagtar Singh Johal was arrested in Punjab. He raised questions as to why Jagtar has not received any support till now despite his appearance in court twice since his arrest.
“The lack of information being given to Jagtar’s family by the police and judicial authorities in Delhi following his arrest is alarming. I have raised this as a matter of urgency with the British High Commission of India and the Foreign Office,” tweeted Hughes.
Indian-origin Labour and Co-operative MP for Birmingham Edgbaston Preet Kaur Gill also tweeted in support of Johal. She wrote, “thank you for raising this matter with the APPG Sikhs we shall be working with you to address this”.
The Sikh Federation (UK) has also started a campaign #Freejagginow to fight for his release.
Source: Sikh Federation UK
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