INTERNATIONAL human rights group Redress has stepped up pressure over the case of tortured Scot Jagtar Singh Johal.
The intervention from the charity, which campaigns for justice for torture survivors, comes as the Dumbarton man’s supporters prepare to march on Westminster.
The 31-year-old was arrested and detained one year ago after his wedding in India.
Prosecutors there claim he funded assassinations on prominent right-wing Hindus, but no evidence has yet been presented in court after more than 60 court appearances.
In a written statement, the Scot claims he was subjected to electric shocks and body separation techniques while in the custody of Punjab police in the weeks after his arrest.
On the anniversary of his arrest earlier this month, his wife – who has not been identified – told The National’s sister paper the Sunday National of her heartache, saying: “I wake up each day thinking my husband is at the door.”
Today MPs will gather in Westminster for a parliamentary lobby organised by the SNP’s Martin Docherty-Hughes on behalf of his constituent.
The West Dunbartonshire MP has urged Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to “get serious” about the case and protect the rights of UK citizens abroad.
This includes addressing the torture allegations. As well as the physical acts, the internet marketer, known as Jaggi, is said to have been led to believe he would be set on fire.
Despite promises of “extreme action” by Foreign Office minister Rory Stewart if the torture was proven, no investigation has yet taken place.
And India has sent to respond to an urgent appeal made on the fitness fan’s case by three high level United Nations experts in January.
Rupert Skilbeck, director of Redress, said: “As time goes on it is increasingly vital that these serious torture allegations are investigated without further delay, and the Indian authorities must ensure that any evidence obtained by torture is not used against Jagtar.”
Docherty-Hughes said: “Regardless of the accusations against Jagtar, his rights to an open and fair judicial process must be protected. But after months of delays and more than 60 pre-trial appearances there has yet to be a single shred of evidence presented against him.
“When I raised my constituent’s case in parliament last year, I was assured by ministers that the UK Government would take ‘extreme action’ in response to the torture and mistreatment of a British citizen.
“Despite these assurances, my constituent and his family have been left frustrated by a lack of interest in Jagtar’s welfare by the UK Government and in particular the foreign secretary.
“I’m grateful for the broad cross-party support the campaign has received from MPs across the country.
“It’s now time for the foreign secretary to listen and show that the UK Government is serious about protecting the rights of its citizens abroad.”
The Foreign Office has said it continues to raise concerns about the case to the Indian government.
Glasgow solicitor Gurpreet Singh Johal, the brother of the detained man, said: “Whilst the physical torture stopped, the mental torture continues.
“The UK Government have failed Jagtar. The Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has failed to meet the family.
“It’s becoming more and more evident that it is trade over human rights.”
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