The brother of a Dumbarton man detained in India for more than five years has written a powerful plea to the chief of the UK’s foreign intelligence service.

In an open letter to MI6 chief Richard Moore, Gurpreet Singh Johal says that “with your help, maybe one day soon, he’ll be walking back through our front door in Dumbarton, instead of fearing the death penalty in Delhi”.

Jagtar Singh Johal, also known as Jaggi, was arrested on November 4, 2017 after travelling to the Punjab for his wedding.

Local media linked his detention to the killing of Hindu leaders in the area.

The Sikh Federation (UK) says Mr Singh Johal - whose 36th birthday is today (February 9) - was abducted by Indian plain clothes police while shopping with his wife Gurpreet Kaur.

Gurpreet, who is also a councillor for the Dumbarton ward on West Dunbartonshire Council, has received more than 8,500 signatures of support in response to his open letter.

Last year, Jagtar’s lawyers lodged a complaint against the UK Government after human rights group Reprieve said they had uncovered evidence suggesting the British intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6 passed information about a British national to foreign authorities, who was then detained and tortured.

Reprieve said that information matched details in Jagtar’s case.

On September 7 last year, he appeared for his 188th further preliminary hearing in court in Delhi, but the case was adjourned to a further date.

Having previously written to Mr Moore asking for a meeting, only to have the request refused, Gurpreet has now gone public with a video of his plea alongside his letter.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter:

In his letter, which is available to read online, he said: “I am writing to you again to discuss if there are ways we can work together to bring Jagtar back.

"We can never get back the five years we’ve spent without Jagtar. But with your help, maybe one day soon, he’ll be walking back through our front door in Dumbarton, instead of fearing the death penalty in Delhi.

“I’m calling on you to act because I understand that MI6 may have played a role in Jagtar’s detention and torture by providing information about him to the Indian authorities, putting him on the radar of the Punjab police.

“I am sure as the director of MI6 you take very seriously any possibility your organisation might be involved in the torture of a British citizen.

“We both have obligations here, you as the person charged with the British public’s safety, and me as Jagtar’s brother.

"He will only be safe when he is back home with his wife and our family in Dumbarton.

“I know the work you do is very sensitive, and I understand there are things you may not be able to discuss with me.

“I would be very grateful, though, if you could spare a little time to talk about how we clear up the mess that’s been created and bring my brother back.”

To sign the petition visit Reprieve's website here.