The Delhi High Court on Friday, 18 September 2026, granted bail to UK national Jagtar Singh Johal, also known as Jaggi, in seven cases linked to alleged terror-related conspiracies in Punjab. A bench of Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja held that Johal's continued incarceration of more than eight years, combined with the slow pace of trial proceedings, warranted his release subject to stringent conditions.

Background and Charges

Johal has been in custody since 4 November 2017 and faces charges under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Indian Penal Code, and the Arms Act. The cases relate to alleged conspiracies involving targeted killings and terrorist activities in Punjab. According to the chargesheet in one case, Johal allegedly travelled from the UK to France to deliver GBP 3,000 to one Harminder Singh alias Mintoo, with prosecutors claiming part of the funds were subsequently passed to another accused to motivate him to join the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF).

What the Court Found

The High Court noted that in over eight years of custody, only 40 prosecution witnesses had been examined, while another 123 witnesses were yet to testify. The bench observed that approximately 63 witnesses were common across the different cases and that, despite this overlap, the trial was 'certainly not likely to conclude any time soon.' The court also noted that repeated directions from the Supreme Court to expedite the trial had not produced sufficient progress, and even the evidence of protected witnesses had not been recorded.

The Road to This Ruling

The seven appeals had earlier been dismissed by a coordinate bench of the High Court in September 2024. Johal challenged that decision before the Supreme Court, which in July 2026 set aside the order and remitted the matters to the High Court for fresh consideration on merits, without addressing the question of limitation. The Delhi High Court's latest judgment considered all seven appeals through a common order, noting that the allegations across the cases were substantially similar.

Court Rejects NIA's Flight Risk Argument

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had argued that Johal's status as a foreign national made him a flight risk, justifying continued detention. The High Court rejected this contention, stating: '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 also declined to deny bail on the basis that some witnesses had complained of threats, observing that no material was placed before it linking those threats to Johal or anyone acting at his behest.

Bail Conditions Imposed

Johal has been directed to furnish a personal bond of ₹5 lakh with two sureties of the like amount and surrender his passport, if any. He must use only one mobile phone or landline number, keep it switched on at all times, and report to the Investigating Officer once every fortnight or as directed by the trial court. He is barred from directly or indirectly contacting, influencing, or threatening any prosecution or protected witness, and from tampering with evidence. He has also been prohibited from making any public statement through print, electronic, or social media concerning the merits of the case, evidence, witnesses, or the pending trial. Additionally, Johal has been restrained from joining WhatsApp groups or other social media platforms where 'anti-national material' is uploaded, circulated, or propagated. Any breach of these conditions, the court made clear, would entitle the prosecution to seek cancellation of bail.

The case will continue to be closely watched given Johal's profile as a British-Sikh activist whose detention has drawn sustained attention from human rights groups and the UK government.