The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) has unannounced its verdict on a case involving Indian Spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, according to which, India’s request to annul his conviction awarded by a Pakistani Military Court has been turned down; however, the ICJ has also directed Pakistan to review Jadhav’s conviction and to grant consular access to him in the light of Vienna Convention.
The judgement was read out by the ICJ Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf.
In its ruling, the ICJ rejected most of India’s pleas seeking annulment of military court’s decision of awarding Kulbhushan Jadhav a death sentence, his release and safe passage to India.
The Court also maintained that Kulbhushan Jadhav would remain in Pakistan’s custody but his death sentence should remain suspended until Pakistan effectively reviews and reconsiders the conviction/sentence in light of Pakistan’s breach of Art 36(1) i.e. denial of consular access and notification.
The Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan and the Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal were also present when the verdict was announced.
Kulbhushan Jadhav was arrested on March 3, 2016 through a counter-intelligence operation in Mashkel area of Balochistan for his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan.
In his confessional statement, Jadhav admitted that he was tasked by the Indian spy agency RAW to plan, coordinate and organize subversive activities in Karachi and Balochistan.
Jadhav was awarded death sentence by the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) on April 10, 2017.
