New Delhi, September 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Delhi High Court on Friday granted bail to UK national Jagtar Singh Johal alias Jaggi in seven cases arising from alleged terror-related conspiracies in Punjab, citing his more than eight years in custody and the slow progress of the trials.
A Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja set aside the trial court orders and directed Johal’s release on bail in all seven cases, subject to stringent conditions.
Johal has been in custody since November 4, 2017, and faces charges under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act in cases concerning alleged conspiracies linked to targeted killings and terrorist activities in Punjab.
The High Court noted that the allegations against Johal in the seven cases were substantially similar and therefore dealt with his appeals through a common judgment.
The court observed that more than eight years had passed since his arrest, while only 40 prosecution witnesses had been examined and 123 others were still to testify.
“Though the charges stand framed against the appellant in the aforesaid RCs, only 40 witnesses have so far been examined and we are informed that there are another 123 witnesses whose testimony is yet to be recorded,” the Bench said.
It further noted that around 63 witnesses were common across the different cases and said the trials were “certainly not likely to conclude any time soon”.
The court also took note of repeated directions from the Supreme Court to expedite the trials, observing that proceedings had not progressed sufficiently and even the evidence of protected witnesses had not been recorded.
The appeals had earlier been dismissed by a coordinate Bench of the Delhi High Court in September 2024. Johal challenged that decision before the Supreme Court, which in July 2026 set aside the order and sent the matters back to the High Court for fresh consideration on merits.
According to the chargesheet in one of the cases, Johal allegedly travelled from the UK to France to deliver GBP 3,000 to Harminder Singh alias Mintoo. The prosecution has alleged that part of the money was subsequently given to another accused to motivate him to join the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). These are prosecution allegations and remain subject to trial.
The High Court rejected the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) argument that Johal’s status as a foreign national and the possibility of him being a flight risk warranted continued detention.
“The liberty of the appellant cannot be curtailed only on this ground. Instead, we shall impose conditions that should ensure that he does not become a flight risk,” the court said.
The Bench also declined to deny bail over complaints by some witnesses regarding alleged threats, noting that no material had been placed before it to establish that such threats originated from Johal or were made at his behest.
Johal has been directed to furnish a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh along with two sureties of the same amount and surrender his passport, if any.
Among the bail conditions, he has been instructed to use only one mobile phone or landline number, keep it switched on, provide his residential and contact details to the Investigating Officer and trial court, and report to the Investigating Officer once every fortnight or as directed by the trial court.
He has also been barred from directly or indirectly contacting, influencing or threatening prosecution or protected witnesses and from tampering with evidence.
The court further directed Johal not to make public statements through print, electronic or social media concerning the merits of the cases, evidence, witnesses or the pending trials.
He has also been restrained from joining WhatsApp groups or other social media platforms where “anti-national material” is uploaded, circulated or propagated, and from uploading, sharing, disseminating or circulating such material.
The High Court made it clear that violation of any bail condition would allow the prosecution to seek cancellation of bail before the appropriate court.
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