Ministry of External Affairs today said that in keeping with the Order of the International Court of Justice of 17 Janaury 2018, India today submitted its reply in the Court in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav who is languishing in a Pakistani jail.
The Ministry also said that it may be recalled that India first approached the Court on May 8, 2017 for an egregious violation of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 by Pakistan in the matter. The Court had on 18 May 2017 indicated provisional measures as requested by India and passed an order obligating Pakistan to not carry out the sentence that was awarded to Indian national Kulbushan Jadhav through a farcical trial by the Military Court of Pakistan. It also stated:
“As per the Court order, India had filed written pleadings (Memorial) in the case on 13 September 2017 and Pakistan filed its Counter Memorial on 13 December 2017. Today, India filed its Reply to Pakistan’s submissions to the Court. Pakistan has been given time till 17 July 2018 by the Court to file its response ( Rejoinder).
India remains committed to make all possible efforts to secure and protect the rights of Jadhav.”
Why is India unhappy with Pakistan on Kulbhushan Jadhav? (Full Statement)
India has said that Kulbhushan Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran and his subsequent presence in Pakistan has never been explained credibly. The Government of India, through its High Commission in Islamabad, has repeatedly sought consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, as provided for by international law. Requests to that effect were formally made 13 times between 25 March 2016 and 31 March 2017. This was not permitted by the Pakistani authorities.
Kulbhushan Jadhav: India thrashes Pakistan on death sentence
