Jagtar Singh Johal, a Sikh activist from Dumbarton, Scotland, has been released from a prison in Delhi, India, following nine years of detention. Johal was originally arrested in 2017 in connection with alleged terror-related offenses. His case has been a subject of significant diplomatic interest and legal scrutiny throughout his time in custody.

Sources provide varying accounts regarding the circumstances of his release. The BBC reports the release as a straightforward development following a bail order. In contrast, The Guardian emphasizes the legal conflict leading to his departure from the facility, reporting that the Indian high court had to warn the government of potential contempt of court charges if they continued to ignore an 18 September bail order. The Guardian further notes that Johal’s legal team filed a writ of habeas corpus, arguing that his continued detention was in direct violation of court directives. While both outlets acknowledge the nine-year duration of his imprisonment, they differ in their characterization of the legal process, with The Guardian highlighting the lack of a full trial during that period.