Jagtar Singh Johal granted bail nine years after being detained in India

A Scottish Sikh activist who has been locked up in India for almost nine years without conviction has been granted bail.

Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, was arrested and detained in 2017 in connection with alleged terror offences.

The Indian authorities have accused him of having a role in a series of targeted killings of religious and political figures.

His family said they were still waiting for the details of what will happen next but are "relieved" by the Indian court's decision.

Court documents show Johal was granted bail at Delhi High Court.

As part of his bail conditions, he has to surrender his passport and is barred from speaking to the media about the case.

The 39-year-old was acquitted last year in a case in which he was accused of financially supporting terror group the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), which has carried out attacks in the Punjab region.

But he still faces federal charges lodged by the Indian authorities.

Johal's imprisonment was recognised by a UN panel as arbitrary detention in 2022 and he has claimed to have been tortured.

Indian authorities have previously denied the torture claim and have repeatedly maintained due process is being followed.

He was arrested in the Punjab region just weeks after his wedding in the country.

His supporters say he was targeted for blogging about alleged human rights abuses against the Sikh community in India and was coerced into signing a false confession to participation in the killings.

His brother Gurpreet Singh Johal has lobbied successive governments calling for his brother's release.

"It is a really important milestone for Jagtar's campaign," Gurpreet told the BBC's Radio Scotland Breakfast programme.

"It has been a long haul and an expensive rollercoaster but the community and the public have kept me going to campaign to bring Jagtar home.

"This will be a huge relief for him."

He added that while it is a major step and the family are relieved Jagtar can be at liberty, more work will be required to bring his brother back to Dumbarton.

"It is a momentous moment for the family, his wife has been crying since this morning," Gurpreet added.

"Everyone was joyful, my kids went to school saying they cannot wait to see their uncle coming home.

"It is just a first step, but it is a step in the right direction."

Gupreet previously urged the UK government to provide "diplomatic representation" to bring his activist brother home.

A UK government spokesperson said: "We are in touch with Mr Johal's family following today's developments".

"The UK continues to raise concerns about Mr Johal's prolonged detention at every appropriate opportunity with the Government of India.

"We have made clear that faster progress is needed to reach a resolution, including a full investigation into Mr Johal's allegations of torture."

Johal was previously denied bail in 2024.

Johal's family have insisted that no concrete evidence has been presented against him.

They say the case was built on the testimony of unreliable witnesses, some of whom have given statements against him only for them to be later recanted in court.

Johal's lawyer in India, Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, said he hoped the 39-year-old would be released in the coming days - probably next week.

"I am very happy. It has been a long time, a painful time," he said.

First Minister John Swinney said it was a "significant and positive development".

"I hope to see Mr Johal released from custody as soon as the necessary procedures are completed and continue to underline the importance of a fair, transparent and timely judicial process," he added.

Johal is represented in the UK by the legal charities Redress and Reprieve, which have welcomed the judgement.

Reprieve's deputy executive director Dan Dolan said the news was welcome but Johal still faces the death penalty for "trumped up charges".

He said: "We must now watch closely to ensure this order is actually implemented and not obstructed in any way.

"The conditions attached are likely to be onerous."

Redress senior legal advisor Chris Esdaile said granting bail "can't undo the intolerable suffering caused by nine years of arbitrary detention".

He added: "The need for accountability for the allegations of torture and the deeply flawed proceedings against Jagtar remains urgent."