Delhi High Court on Friday granted bail to British citizen Jagtar Singh Johal, who has been held in custody for eight years on charges linked to the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). The court cited his prolonged incarceration and the likelihood that the trial in seven cases will not conclude soon. Johal, a Scottish Sikh, was arrested in 2017 shortly after his wedding in Punjab and has been charged with conspiracy and targeted killings under the UAPA.

The court rejected the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) claim that Johal posed a flight risk as a foreign national, ordering him to surrender his passport and restrict his social media activity. It also barred him from contacting witnesses or influencing the trial. The NIA accused Johal of being an 'active member' of the KLF, which is designated as a terrorist group. However, he was acquitted in one case last year, with the court finding no evidence against him.

Johal’s brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, a solicitor in Dumbarton, Scotland, described the bail decision as a 'light at the end of the tunnel.' He noted that the UK government has not done enough to secure his release, despite repeated assurances from successive foreign secretaries. 'We have waited so long and fought so hard for this moment,' he said. 'Whenever evidence against Jagtar is tested in court, judges find what we’ve said all along, which is that there isn’t any.'

The court imposed stringent bail conditions, including a personal bond of ₹5 lakh with two sureties, restrictions on communication, and a ban on public statements about the cases. Johal must also report fortnightly to the Investigating Officer and cannot change his residence or contact details without prior notice. The court also barred him from joining any social media platform where 'anti-national material' is shared.

Legal advocates for Johal, including Reprieve and Redress, welcomed the bail decision but emphasized the need for continued oversight to ensure its implementation. Dan Dolan of Reprieve said, 'While this judgment is welcome, we must now watch closely to ensure this order is actually implemented and not obstructed in any way.' Chris Esdaile of Redress added that the 'intolerable suffering' caused by nine years of arbitrary detention remains a pressing issue.

The NIA’s cases against Johal arise from a series of alleged targeted murders and attempted murders in Punjab between 2016 and 2017. Two cases involve the killing of Amit Sharma, president of Shri Hindu Takhat, and the attempted murder of Jagdish Kumar Gagneja, RSS vice-president. The probe was transferred to the NIA after the offences were deemed part of a 'transnational conspiracy.' However, no response from the NIA or Indian government has been provided to the supplied evidence regarding the bail decision or the ongoing legal proceedings.

What remains unknown is the full extent of the evidence against Johal in the remaining seven cases, the nature of the alleged threats to witnesses, and the exact terms of the bail bond. The court has yet to confirm the final conditions, and Johal remains in custody pending the finalization of the order. The case continues to draw attention from UK activists and legal organizations, who remain concerned about the prolonged detention and the potential for a death penalty in eight of the cases.