Kulbhushan Jadhav death sentence: Defence experts, friend admire govt’s effort as ICJ stays Pak military court order

In a major reprieve to Kulbhushan Jadhav, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Hague on Tuesday asked the government of Pakistan to put his execution on hold who was facing death sentence on charges of “spying”.

Union external affairs Sushma Swaraj corroborated the information on Twitter, and informed that she had spoken to Jadhav’s mother about the development.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "I have spoken to the mother of Kulbhushan Jadhav and told her about the order of President, ICJ under Art 74 Paragraph 4 of Rules of Court."

I have spoken to the mother of #KulbhushanJadhav and told her about the order of President, ICJ under Art 74 Paragraph 4 of Rules of Court.

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 9, 2017

She informed that senior lawyer Harish N Salve represented India in the ICJ.

Mr.Harish Salve, Senior Advocate is representing India before International Court of Justice in the #KulbhushanJadhav case.

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 9, 2017

Union Minister of state for External Affairs VK Singh complemented Sushma Swaraj for her efforts, saying that the ICJ accepted India's stand.

We must all complement EAM Swaraj for the keen interest taken in this case. The ICJ agreed to our stand: VK Singh,MoS MEA #KulbhushanJadhav pic.twitter.com/wTRspipiKg

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 10, 2017

The official sources said that the order by the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) came a day after India approached it against the death sentence handed down to Jadhav by Pakistan's Field General Court Martial last month.

India, in its appeal to the ICJ, blamed Pakistan of "egregious" violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and asserted that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he was involved in business activities after retiring from the Indian Navy but Pakistan claimed to have arrested him from Balochistan on March 3, 2016.

Also Read | Delhi High Court: Centre to take all possible steps to secure Kulbhushan Jadhav's life

After hearing the news, T Pawar, friend of Kulbhushan Jadhav, was happy and admired the effort of government.

“Happy to hear Kulbhushan Jadhav 's execution stayed in Pakistan , and glad that Indian government is trying its best to get him back,”said Pawar.

Happy to hear #KulbhushanJadhav 's execution stayed in Pak,glad that Indian govt is trying its best to get him bk:T Pawar,friend of K Jadhav pic.twitter.com/51orCW4SHB

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 10, 2017

Defence Expert General GD Bakshi said that he is happy to hear that the ICJ has stayed Jadhav’s death sentence. Bakshi said that Pakistan military court had no jurisdiction on Jadhav.

Another defence expert Praful Bakshi parised te government’s effort and hoped that India would get success in the case in future.

Also Read: Pakistan Army rules out consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav after India made strong case for it on death row

ICJ President Ronny Abraham has reportedly written aletter to Pakistan government, asking it to act in such a waywhich would enable the implementation of any order the ICJ mayissue in the case.

India, in its appeal, contended that it was not informedof Jadhav's detention until long after his arrest and thatPakistan failed to inform the accused of his rights. (With PTI Inputs)