New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has granted bail to British national Jagtar Singh Johal, popularly known as Jaggi Johal, in seven cases linked to a series of alleged targeted killings and attempted killings in Punjab.
Johal, who is from the Jandiala Manjki area of Jalandhar district, has remained in custody since his arrest in Punjab in 2017. The cases relate to incidents reported in Ludhiana and Jalandhar during 2016-17.
The bail pleas had earlier been rejected by the NIA Special Court and subsequently by the Delhi High Court. The Supreme Court, however, on July 15, 2026, sent the matters back to the High Court for fresh consideration.
Following the Supreme Court’s directions, the Delhi High Court reheard the seven bail pleas. The court reserved its orders on September 7 and subsequently granted bail to Johal in all seven cases on Friday.
NIA allegations
According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the cases form part of an alleged larger conspiracy linked to the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). The agency has alleged that the conspiracy was aimed at creating unrest in Punjab and disturbing the law-and-order situation.
The prosecution has attributed a different alleged role to Johal, claiming that he acted as a financier and courier. According to the agency’s case, he allegedly received £3,000 from UK-based KLF associate Gursharan Singh and delivered the money to Harminder Singh alias Mintu in Paris. The prosecution has further alleged that the money was subsequently passed on to Hardeep Singh.
The cases also concern alleged attacks involving several individuals, including people associated with the RSS and Hindu organisations. The allegations are yet to be established in court.
Earlier bail pleas rejected
The NIA Special Court had rejected five of Johal’s bail applications on September 7, 2022, and two others on April 25, 2024. The Delhi High Court subsequently rejected his bail pleas in September 2024.
After the Supreme Court remanded the matters for fresh consideration, the High Court heard the pleas again before granting bail.
Advocate Dinesh Lakhanpal, who practises in the Phillaur-Jalandhar area, welcomed the decision and described it as a major relief for Johal and his family. He said the detailed court order had not yet been uploaded and that the precise legal position would become clearer once the order was available.
British MPs welcome bail decision
Preet Kaur Gill, Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, welcomed the development, saying it came after nearly nine years of detention. She credited Johal’s brother Gurpreet, his MP Douglas McAllister and others who had campaigned on the case, and urged the British government to continue engaging with Indian authorities regarding Johal’s return to the UK.
McAllister, the Scottish Labour MP for West Dunbartonshire, also welcomed the bail order and said Johal’s family and organisations including Reprieve had campaigned for years for his release.
Local resident Parminder Singh also welcomed the court’s decision, saying the judicial process should determine the truth of the allegations.
Johal’s bail does not amount to an acquittal. The allegations against him remain to be decided through the judicial process, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
