India welcomes verdict of International Court of Justice
WEB DESK
International Court of Justice, ICJ today stayed Kulbushan Jadhav’s death sentence and directed Pakistan to provide effective review and reconsideration of his conviction and sentences.
Court affirmed Jadhav’s right to consular access and notification and directed Pakistan to give him consular access.
15 out of 16 judges rules in favour of India on merits in the case relating to Indian national Kulbushan Jadhav who is currently on death row in Pakistan.
The ICJ said that Kulbushan Jadhav’s death sentence should remain suspended until Pakistan effectively reviews and reconsiders the conviction and sentence in light of Islamabad’s breach of Art 36(1) that is denial of consular access and notification.
In its order, ICJ said that Pakistan deprived India of the right to communicate with and have access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, to visit him in detention and to arrange for his legal representation and thereby breached obligations under Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
A retired Indian Navy officer, Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017. India approached the Hague based-ICJ in May 2017 against Pakistan for denying consular access to Jadhav.
India has welcomed the verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its favour in the case relating to Kulbushan Jadhav. In a statement, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, said, the court by a vote of 15-1 has upheld New Delhi’s claim that Pakistan is in egregious violation of Vienna Convention on Consular Relation, 1963 on several counts. He said, India appreciates the direction by ICJ that Pakistan should review and reconsider conviction and sentence given to Mr Jadhav by Pakistani military court.
Mr Kumar said, New Delhi also noted that the Court has directed that Pakistan is under an obligation to inform Mr Jadhav without further delay of his rights to get access to Indian consular officers in accordance with Vienna Convention.
The spokesperson said, India expects Islamabad to implement the directive immediately. He said, the judgement validates India’s position on the case and it will continue to work vigorously for Kulbushan Jadhav’s early release and return to India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed ICJ’s verdict in the Hague and congratulated the ICJ for a verdict based on extensive study of facts. In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, truth and justice have prevailed. He said, he is sure Kulbhushan Jadhav will get justice. Mr Modi said, his government will always work for the safety and welfare of every Indian.
Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also welcomed the ICJ’s judgement calling it decisive and momentous decision. In a tweet, Mr Shekhawat said, India fought and won to defend its citizen in ICJ.
Congress has also welcomed the ruling by the International Court of Justice in the Kulbhushan Jhadhav case. The party said, it is a big win for India and will continue to pray for his early return.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar spoke to Kulbhushan’s family. In a tweet, Dr Jaishankar said, he applauds their courage.