Last week, the BBC reported that a 33-year-old Scottish Sikh who had been arrested by Indian authorities in 2017 has allegedly been tortured into signing a blank confession letter.
Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, is being held under India's anti-terror laws, accused of conspiring to murder a number of Hindu leaders with Indian court documents alleging that he helped fund the crimes. He is claimed to be a member of a "terrorist gang", Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF). He is also accused of paying £3,000 to the former head of the KLF to help fund the crimes. The charge sheet documents also claim that he "actively participated and had complete knowledge of the conspiracy".
However, Johal has consistently insisted that he had been "falsely implicated" and according to the BBC, the 33-year-old now says he was physically tortured into signing a blank confession and forced to record a video which was broadcast on Indian TV.
In his statement to the BBC, he said, "They made me sign blank pieces of paper and asked me to say certain lines in front of a camera under fear of extreme torture."
Mr Johal's legal team also shared a copy of what they say is a handwritten letter from shortly after his arrest in November 2017 in which he details allegations of how the torture took place.
The letter reportedly notes, "Multiple shocks were administered by placing (the) crocodile clips on my earlobes, nipples and private parts. Multiple shocks were given each day. Two people would stretch my legs, another person would slap and strike me from behind, and the shocks were given by the seated officers. At some stages I was left unable to walk and had to be carried out of the interrogation room."
Indian authorities have strongly denied these claims stating no concrete evidence of mistreatment or torture is present. Human rights charity Reprieve has reportedly also written to the UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, urging Mr Johal's immediate release. The UK's Foreign Commonwealth and Development office told the BBC that Mr Raab did raise the case with his Indian counterpart during his trip to India in December.
In their state, to the BBC, the FCDO noted, "We have consistently raised concerns about his case with the Government of India, including allegations of torture and mistreatment and his right to a fair trial. Our staff continue to support Jagtar Singh Johal following his detention in India, and are in regular contact with his family and prison officials about his health and wellbeing."
