Jagtar Singh Johal released from Indian prison on bail

Jagtar Singh Johal was released from Tihar Jail in Delhi on October 1 after a judge ordered prison authorities to free him within three hours or face contempt of court, according to the account of his release. Johal, a Scottish Sikh activist from Dumbarton, had been held in India since his arrest in 2017 on terrorism-related allegations. He remains on bail and faces ongoing legal proceedings. Johal had been granted bail by the Delhi High Court the previous month but was not released immediately. Prison officials said they were seeking clarification from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, the report said. His lawyers then filed a habeas corpus petition, prompting the release order. Footage shared by his brother showed Johal leaving the prison and meeting family and friends outside. The bail order imposes several restrictions. Johal must surrender his British passport and obtain permission before travelling to Punjab, where his family is from. He is also prohibited from joining WhatsApp groups or social media accounts sharing material deemed “anti-national” and from making public comments about his case, according to the report.