UK officials meet Johal in Ludhiana

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 24

A team from the British High Commission met UK national Jagtar Singh Johal here today, days after his alleged custodial torture was raised in the House of Commons. Johal, one of the accused in seven targeted killings in Punjab, was arrested early this month.

The team included Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Ayre, counsellor Julie and officer Palvi Jairath.

Sources said the team held a meeting with Johal for over an hour. Two senior officials of the Ludhiana Commissionerate were also reportedly present.

The sources said the purpose of the visit was to enquire if there was any human rights violation during the ongoing interrogation of Johal. 

The team reportedly enquired if Johal was given the same facilities as an accused or a jail inmate, which he deserved being a British national.

Present facts: SAD

Former Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia asked the state government to present the facts in the Jagtar Johal case before the Assembly. “Our image is at stake. We must clarify if human rights violations have occurred,” he said, while talking to the media after meeting Speaker Rana KP Singh in Chandigarh as part of an SAD-BJP delegation.