A SENIOR Scottish Government minister has urged Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to help the family of a Scot detained in India – three years after his arrest.

Newlywed Jagtar Singh Johal was bundled into a van while walking with his bride in Northern India three years ago today.

While authorities claimed they had full evidence against the Dumbarton blogger, no evidence has yet been heard in court over claims that the Sikh activist helped fund an assassination plot against right-wing Hindu leaders. And no independent assessment has taken place over claims that he was tortured and threatened with being set alight while in the custody of Punjab police.

Fitness fan Johal, 33, worked as an internet marketer before his arrest and is today held in Tihar jail, the largest prison complex in South Asia. His family believe he was targeted for his nationality, ethnicity and online activities.

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In Scotland, his brother Gurpreet Singh Johal, a Glasgow solicitor, is leading the #FreeJaggiNow campaign. The National has learned that he met with Scotland’s External Affairs Secretary Michael Russell, along with the family’s MSP Jackie Baillie last week to press the Scottish Government to do more to help. And this newspaper has been given exclusive access to a letter sent by Russell to Tory MP Raab urging him to act.

It states: “The Scottish Government has received a number of representations in relation to this case both from the Sikh community and from local politicians. The Scottish Government remains deeply concerned about the detention of Jagtar Singh Johal, who has now been in custody for three years with no date for a trial set. The Scottish Government is also deeply concerned by the allegations of torture and mistreatment made by Mr Johal whilst in custody.

“I would be grateful if you could provide an update on the support that the UK Government is providing and reassurance that Mr Johal is being treated in accordance with the law and has access to the full range of services to which he is entitled.

"I would also appreciate an update on what steps you are taking to ensure that Mr Johal is able to receive a fair trial and that the allegations of torture are thoroughly investigated. I would like to appeal to you as Foreign Secretary to meet with the family of Jagtar Singh Johal to provide the family with these reassurances. I am also approaching the Indian Consul General for Scotland, on behalf of the Johal family, to request a meeting.”

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The letter comes after an immigration tribunal ruled that Gurpreet Kaur, Jaggi’s wife, should be allowed to stay in Scotland. The Indian national had planned to live in Scotland with her husband before his arrest and later travelled to join her in-laws after he was moved to Tihar jail. Kaur and her relatives feared she would be the subject of harassment.

She has been in the UK since April last year, but the Home Office said there was no reason she should stay. Now she’s able to remain with her young nephews in the home they share with their parents, grandfather and great-grandmother following last week’s ruling.

On the campaign, Gurpreet Singh Johal commented: “We are grateful for the continued support that we’ve been having, which is not just from the Sikh community. It’s only together that we can bring him back.”