Delhi High Court’s Decision on Jagtar Singh Johal’s Bail
In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court has granted bail to Jagtar Singh Johal, a British national, who faces accusations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Johal, also known as Jaggi, is implicated in a series of targeted killings allegedly orchestrated by the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), a proscribed organization.
The decision was delivered by a Division Bench comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja. The detailed order is anticipated shortly, shedding light on the court’s rationale behind granting bail.
Background of the Case
Johal was apprehended in 2017 in Punjab and has been accused in eight cases related to targeted killings and attempted murders during 2016-17 across Ludhiana and Jalandhar districts. These acts were allegedly aimed at disturbing the state’s law and order.
The prosecution claims that Johal facilitated financial transactions for the KLF, acting as a conduit for funds from UK-based KLF associate Gursharan Singh to operative Harminder Singh, also known as Mintoo, in Paris. The funds, approximately £3,000, were then purportedly passed on to shooter Hardeep Singh to further the conspiracy.
Previous Judicial Proceedings
Earlier, in 2022 and 2024, Johal’s bail applications were denied by the trial court, citing delays in some cases and merits in others. Subsequently, the High Court also rejected his bail pleas on September 18, 2024.
However, the Supreme Court intervened on July 15, 2026, remanding the cases back to the High Court for reconsideration. This led to the current decision to grant bail.
Representation in Court
Johal was represented by a team of advocates including Jawahar Raja, Maulshree Pathak, Aditi Saraswat, Nitai Hinduja, and Ishaan Goel. On the other side, the National Investigating Agency (NIA) was represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Rajkumar Bhaskar Thakare, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Shilpa Singh, and advocate Priyam Agrawal.
This decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal proceedings against Johal, as the detailed order from the High Court will provide further insights into the judicial reasoning and potential implications for similar cases under UAPA.
