Sikh loses his plea for asylum

A SIKH independence campaigner - regarded by Britain as a terrorist threat - failed yesterday in his latest court battle to avoid deportation to India, where he says he faces arrest, torture and even death, writes Heather Mills.

Karamjit Singh Chahal, 45, who has lived in Britain for 22 years, had his plea for political asylum turned down by the Home Office. Further, ministers ordered his deportation for 'the public good for reasons of national security'.

He has spent the last three years in Bedford jail, seeking to refute the terrorism claims and fight deportation.

Yesterday, however, dismissing Mr Chahal's appeal, the Court of Appeal ruled that Kenneth Clarke, then Home Secretary, had not acted irrationally or perversely when balancing the risk of his being ill-treated in India against UK security interests.

Mr Clarke had accepted an assurance from India that Mr Chahal would enjoy the same legal protection as any other citizen.

But Mr Chahal's lawyers told the court two of his relatives had been killed and he had been tortured by the Indian police. He may now seek leave to appeal to the Lords.