Jagtar Singh Johal Detained for 500 days on 18 March 2019

That the Parliament understands that Jagtar Singh Johal will have been detained for 500 days on 18 March 2019 by Indian authorities for a crime that he claims he did not commit; notes with concern reports that Jagtar, who is from Dumbarton, has allegedly been subjected to third degree torture while being held by police in India; understands that he claims that he has faced extreme police torture, including electric shocks and body separation techniques, during his imprisonment in the Punjab region; further understands that little progress has been made with his trial since Jagtar was arrested on 4 November 2017; is concerned that what it considers the inappropriate trial by media in India will compromise any chance of a fair trial; commends the peaceful protests held by Sikh communities across Scotland, which have called on the UK Government to take immediate action to ensure the humane treatment of Jagtar while he remains detained; condemns authorities in the Punjab for what it considers the illegal arrest of Jagtar; further condemns reports that he was not given access to consulate support or a lawyer in the immediate days of his detention, or given an independent medical examination following the claims of torture; calls on the UK foreign secretary to meet with Jagtar’s MP, Martin Docherty-Hughes, and the family, which he reportedly has so far failed to do despite repeated requests, and further calls on the Scottish Government to raise his case with the foreign secretary and UK Government to urge them to do everything in their power to protect Jagtar and ensure that he receives a fair trial and is given the same treatment and support as any other detained British citizen.