Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me recently about Jagtar Singh Johal.

I appreciate the concerns you raise about the circumstances of Mr Johal’s detention in India.  Reports that Mr Johal was tortured are deeply worrying and must be treated with the utmost seriousness. There should be no place for the use of torture or mistreatment anywhere in the world and the UK Government should ensure it raises concerns around these reports with the Indian authorities.

Having been detained in India for over three years now, this will understandably be a distressing time for Mr Johal and his family. I know that Mr Johal’s family have persistently raised his case with the UK Government and I understand that meetings between Mr Johal’s family and Ministers have taken place. I know that British consular staff also make regular contact with Mr Johal. It is vital that Mr Johal can meet and consult with consular staff in private so that he can raise any concerns about his treatment.

The Shadow Minister for Asia has also raised Mr Johal’s case with the UK Government. The UK Government has said that Ministers raise Mr Johal’s case with their Indian counterparts. I hope they will continue to do so, raising concerns about the reports of torture, delays to legal proceedings and expressing the importance of Mr Johal’s right to a fair trial. The Foreign Office should also ensure that Mr Johal’s family continue to be informed about his welfare and any developments.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP