A court in India has granted bail to Jagtar Singh Johal, a British activist who has been detained for nearly nine years on terror-related charges. The 39-year-old, based in Dumbarton, Scotland, is a campaigner for Sikh rights and was arrested in Punjab in 2017, shortly after his wedding, on accusations of being linked to the banned Sikh separatist group Khalistani Liberation Force. Recently, the Delhi High Court overturned a 2024 decision that had denied him bail, marking a significant development in his long legal battle. Johal was acquitted in a case last year where he was accused of financially supporting a terror group. However, he still faces federal charges based on similar allegations. His supporters argue that these cases are essentially duplicates, relying on the same limited evidence, and should be dismissed. Johal has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has claimed he was tortured during his detention. In 2022, a UN panel ruled that he had been "arbitrarily detained." Earlier this year, a group of UN experts condemned his continued detention, calling it "a form of psychological torture" and a "profound miscarriage of justice." Indian authorities have denied the torture allegations and insist that due process is being followed. Gurpreet Singh Johal, Jagtar’s brother and a long-time advocate for his release, described the bail order as a "huge relief." He said he had a sleepless night waiting for the court's decision and imagined his brother walking out of prison. While he expressed joy over the news, he emphasized that Jagtar would not be truly free until he returns to Dumbarton with his wife and family. Although the bail has been granted, Jagtar remains in custody while the court confirms the conditions, which could be strict. Legal charities Redress and Reprieve, which represent him in the UK, said that a bond might need to be paid, and he may be required to stay in India or obtain permission to leave. His brother suggested that Jagtar could be released as early as next week. "Jagtar’s wife has been crying since this morning," he said, highlighting the emotional toll on the family. In June, Jagtar wrote to the UK's then-foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, saying he was "stuck in a broken country with a broken judicial system." Cooper had urged for a "swift resolution" in the case, stating that the ordeal had "gone on far too long." Dan Dolan of Reprieve noted that Jagtar still faces the death penalty in eight cases based on "trumped-up charges." He added that Jagtar was targeted for speaking out against human rights abuses and that the legal process itself is a form of punishment. He called on the UK government to take all necessary steps to resolve the case and bring Jagtar back home. Chris Esdaile of Redress welcomed the bail order but emphasized that it does not undo the suffering caused by nine years of arbitrary detention without a fair and timely resolution. He called for accountability regarding the "allegations of torture and the deeply flawed proceedings." West Dunbartonshire MP Douglas McAllister expressed relief at the news and said he would continue to work with Jagtar’s family to ensure he returns home to Dumbarton, where he belongs.