1 hr ago
Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Jagtar Singh Johal
Jagtar Singh Johal is a British Sikh who has been held in India for more than eight years.
He faces seven cases under India’s anti-terror law.
The cases involve alleged killings and attempted killings in Punjab.
The National Investigation Agency says he was linked to the Khalistan Liberation Force.
Johal has not received a final trial decision in these cases.
The Delhi High Court said the trials were moving too slowly and might not finish soon.
It therefore granted him bail, which means he can leave custody while the cases continue.
He must follow strict rules, including surrendering his passport and reporting to investigators.
He also cannot share or join online groups spreading prohibited anti-national material.
The Delhi High Court granted Jagtar Singh Johal bail in all seven anti-terror cases after more than eight years in custody.
The court said the trials had not progressed sufficiently and were unlikely to conclude soon.
The National Investigation Agency accused Johal of involvement in alleged targeted killings and attempted killings in Punjab during 2016–2017.
The court rejected nationality alone as a reason to deny bail but imposed conditions addressing flight risk.
Johal must surrender his passport, report fortnightly, provide a Rs 500,000 personal bond with two sureties, and avoid prohibited social-media activity.
- Who
- British Sikh Jagtar Singh Johal, the National Investigation Agency, and the Delhi High Court.
- What
- Johal was granted bail in all seven anti-terror cases against him.
- Where
- The Delhi High Court; the alleged offences occurred in Ludhiana and Jalandhar districts of Punjab.
- When
- Friday (18), after more than eight years of custody; the earlier bail refusal was issued on September 18, 2024.
- Why
- The court said the trials had not progressed and were not likely to conclude soon, making continued detention unjustified.
Court’s Bail Rationale
Investigation Agency’s Objections
Length and pace of proceedings
Court’s Bail Rationale
The Delhi High Court said Johal had spent more than eight years in custody and that the trials were not likely to conclude soon.
Investigation Agency’s Objections
The National Investigation Agency opposed bail while Johal faced trial for serious offences.
Nationality and flight risk
Court’s Bail Rationale
The court said being a foreign national alone was not enough to deny bail and imposed conditions to address possible flight risk.
Investigation Agency’s Objections
The agency argued that Johal’s foreign nationality made him a flight risk.
Nature of allegations
Court’s Bail Rationale
The court granted bail without ending the cases and required Johal to cooperate with the trials.
Investigation Agency’s Objections
The agency accused Johal of encouraging terrorism and separatism, and of involvement in killings targeting people from a particular community.
Key facts
- Bail scope
- All seven cases under the anti-terror law
- Time in custody
- More than eight years
- Arrest
- 2017
- Alleged offences
- Targeted killings and attempted killings in Punjab during 2016–2017
- Bond
- Rs 500,000 personal bond with two sureties of the same amount
- Reporting requirement
- Johal must provide contact details and appear before the investigating officer fortnightly
- Other conditions
- He must surrender his passport, cooperate with the trial, and not influence witnesses or tamper with evidence
Quotes
Delhi High Court bench
Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja, who heard Johal’s bail application
“certainly not likely to conclude any time soon.”
easterneye.biz
Sources
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