The Delhi high court on Friday ordered the release of UK national Jagtar Singh Johal on bail in seven cases being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), noting that he had remained in custody for more than eight years and that the trials were unlikely to conclude in the near future.
The court directed him to use only one mobile phone and/or one landline number during the trial, which must remain switched on. Johal must cooperate with the trial and appear on every date of hearing unless exempted. The Bench directed Johal not to make any public statement, including through print, electronic media or social media, touching upon the merits of the cases, evidence, witnesses or pending trials. He must also not participate in any activity that may prejudice public order or the integrity of the trial.
A Division Bench of Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja set aside the trial court orders refusing bail and directed Johal’s release subject to stringent conditions, including surrender of his passport, restrictions on communication and social media activity, fortnightly reporting to the Investigating Officer and a bar on contacting or influencing witnesses, according to an ANI report. He must also furnish his residential address, contact number and email address to the Investigating Officer and trial court, and cannot change his residence or contact details without seven days’ prior written intimation, said the report.
