Jagtar Singh Johal

Debate between Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Douglas McAllister

Thursday 15th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Douglas McAllister (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab)]

I am grateful for the opportunity to raise the urgent case of my constituent Jagtar Singh Johal, a British citizen from Dumbarton who is facing the death penalty in India on trumped up political charges. Jagtar was arbitrarily detained in an Indian prison for 3,254 days. He has been released on bail but continues to face capital punishment in eight dubious cases against him, which duplicate allegations on which he was acquitted last year. Though Jagtar has now been released on bail, he is by no means free. He faces restrictions on almost every aspect of his life and is at great risk while he remains in India. Justice may only be served by returning him to his family and his home in Dumbarton.

[Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab)]

I thank my hon. Friend for his strong leadership on this important issue on behalf of his constituent. Many of my Slough constituents and I have watched with deep concern the case of Jagtar Singh Johal. No doubt, the Johal family will be considerably pleased and relieved that Jagtar has been released on bail after nine long years, but they will still feel considerable uncertainty and distress. Does my hon. Friend agree that this matter has gone on for far too long and that it needs to be swiftly resolved, and that the Minister needs to update the House as to what discussions have been had with Indian counterparts to achieve that aim?

[Douglas McAllister]

I agree entirely with my hon. Friend’s comments and I will touch on those points during my speech. May I take this opportunity to thank him for his continued and long-standing support and encouragement of me with respect to the fate of my constituent? He never lets a day pass when he does not ask me for an update, and he has shown great solidarity to me and to Jagtar Singh Johal—I thank him for that.

This case has attracted concern from parliamentarians across this House, from human rights organisations, from legal experts and from the United Nations.