A green activist is still awaiting trial in India on terrorist charges despite, in a separate case, a Polish man being released with a small fine for the same offence.

Andy Pag, 35, who is campaigning against using fossil fuels by touring the world in a bus powered by chip fat, was arrested in January in the state of Rajasthan, in northern India for carrying a satellite phone without permission.

The campaigner from Thornton Heath, who has dual Italian and British citizenship, spent a week in an Indian prison and fears his trial might be delayed indefinitely by police who said they need more time to put their case together.

It has been adjourned five times so far because police are unable to put a charge sheet before the court.

Last week the Times of India reported that a Polish national had been arrested for carrying a satellite phone without permission.

Bronobis Robert, was fined 1,000 rupees and released after a day’s trial in Jaipur. The Indian newspaper reported his satellite phone was returned to him on the condition he would not use it in India. A charge sheet was filed within 24 hours of his arrest.

By contrast, police in Mr Pag’s case have yet to file a charge sheet almost two months after they arrested him. He faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of the terrorism charges.

The investigating officer in Mr Robert’s case said: “We had come to the conclusion that Robert did not have any ill-intentions and he had only called his family in Poland using the phone. So we promptly investigated the matter and facilitated his early release.”

An Israeli, Dor Gur, was also arrested for carrying a satellite phone on February 17 while he was trekking in northern India. He was released on bail shortly afterwards and awaits trial, which was due to take place on Tuesday.

Mr Pag has had to cancel the rest of his round-the-world trip because his budget has been blown on legal fees. He has also had to renew his Indian visa for another three months.

He is appealing for people to write to the Indian Minister of Home Affairs, the Indian High Commissioner in London and the Indian High Commissioner in Rome to put pressure on the investigating officer, Superintendent Tak of Ajmer police, Rajasthan.

To help, email Mr P Chidambaram, the Indian Minister of Home Affairs on hm@nic.in, Mr Nalin Surie, the Indian High Commissioner in London on administration@hcilondon.in and Mr Arif Shahid Khan, the Indian Ambassador in Rome on gen.email@indianembassy.it.