THE long-delayed trial of a Dumbarton man in India has been pushed back by two months at his latest court date.

Jagtar Singh Johal – known as Jaggi – has undergone a series of pre-trial hearings since being detained in November 2017.

The Sikh blogger was arrested around a fortnight after his wedding in the Punjab region and is accused of financing an assassination plot, but no formal charges have been made and his family maintain he has been targeted by authorities there for his nationality, religion and online activism.

On Wednesday, his family appealed to the Westminster Government to help “before it is too late” as a judge pushed proceedings back until the spring.

Jaggi attended his latest pre-trial preliminary hearing via video link.

India’s National Investigations Agency (NIA) was granted further time to prepare its case, with the next hearing set for April 15.

It is understood that the delay relates to the completion of redacted witness statements.

The news was another blow for the Johal family, including brother Gurpreet Singh Johal, a solicitor.

In a statement, the #FreeJaggiNow campaign called the situation “astonishing”.

The campaign said: “Surely, if the Indian authorities had any evidence against Jaggi, they would have proceeded to trial as soon as possible. By continuing to delay the proceedings, it is evident that Punjab Police had no evidence and the National Investigation Agency have no evidence.

“The UK Government need to act before it is too late. If they do not act, Jaggi could be languishing in prison, without charge for years.”

The UK Government says it is supporting Jaggi and his family.

However, last month our sister title the Sunday National revealed how Jaggi’s wife Gurpreet Kaur is now locked in her own legal battle with the Home Office over her right to stay in Scotland.

While officials have acknowledged her “unique” circumstances, they have refused the visa she needs to live with her in-laws as she waits for her husband’s release.

The Home Office says the case has been “considered on its individual merits” but Edinburgh immigration law expert Damir Duheric, who is representing Kaur, says there is nothing like it in case law or official guidelines.

An appeal will be heard in her case later this month.

Commenting on her situation, Kaur said she did not understand Westminster’s reasoning. She stated: “The UK Government knows what has happened, the Prime Minister knows, but it’s still been refused.

“I don’t understand. Two years and Jagtar has still not been formally charged. If there was a case against him, it should have been out by now. How long is this going to go on?

“My husband is sitting in a jail. Our lives have been put on hold.”