India continues to fight for Kulbhusan Jadhav
Accuses Pak of misusing the ICJ for political propaganda
New Delhi: Accusing Pakistan of misusing the Kulbhushan Jadhav case and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for propaganda, India today said that Pakistan has no substantive defence and is indulging in malicious acts, during a hearing in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case in ICJ.
Amid the huge face-off with Islamabad over the deadly terror strike at Pulwama, India is presenting its case at the International Court of Justice, seeking cancellation of Pakistan’s death sentence on Kulbhushan Jadhav – an Indian national.
Mr Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April 2017 on charges of espionage and terrorism. The International Court of Justice in The Hague has asked Pakistan to hold off the execution till it reaches its final verdict in the case. That verdict, India told the court today, has brought the hope of justice to its 1.3 billion citizens.
Representing India before the International Court, senior advocate Harish Salve said the case rests mainly on two points – the breach of Vienna Convention by Pakistan, and “with regard to the relief to be granted”.
Salve said the life of an innocent Indian is at risk and Pakistan has ignored 13 Indian reminders to provide consular access to Jadhav. “There is no manner of doubt that Pakistan was using this as a propaganda tool. Pakistan was bound to grant consular access without delay,” he said.
Salve also pointed out to the court that not only Jadhav has been denied consular access but no credible evidence has been provided by Pakistan to show his involvement in any acts of terrorism.
“Pakistan’s story is solely based on rhetoric and not facts,” he said.
While India will argue first on February 18, Pakistan will get its chance to make submissions on February 19. Then India will reply on February 20 while Islamabad will make its closing submissions on February 21.
It is expected that the ICJ’s decision may be delivered by the summer of 2019.
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Ms Kalinga