Murray calls for more action to secure safe return of Scot imprisoned in India

Liberal Democrat Scottish Affairs spokesperson, Susan Murray MP has welcomed today’s news that Scottish Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal has been granted bail having been arrested and imprisoned in India for almost nine years without conviction and said that the UK Government must now keep the pressure up to ensure his safe return to his family.

Mr Johal is from Dunbarton, just outside of Ms Murray's constituency of Mid Dunbartonshire.

Ms Murray has written repeatedly to the Government to press the Indian authorities over Mr Johal’s release.

Ms Murray said:

“After listening to my local Sikh community, I have repeatedly pressed the UK government to take action to secure Mr Johal's release so I welcome the recent news that he has received bail.

"However, there is still more to be done to ensure Mr Johal’s safe return to his family and the UK Government will now need to keep the pressure on.

“The detention has been felt very heavily by the Sikh community in and around my constituency. For them this is not a distant issue.

"That's why I am calling on the UK Government to continue to uphold and protect the human rights of UK citizens everywhere.”