Govt awaits Pak’s reply on access to ‘spy’ Jadhav

NEW DELHI: India is awaiting a formal response from Pakistan on its request for getting consular access to Kulbushan Jadhav, who has been arrested by Pakistani agencies claiming he was an Indian spy.

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But media reports in Pakistan said Islamabad has decided to deny consular access to Jadhav as his nationality has been ascertained. “After due consideration, it has been decided not to grant consular access to Jadhav,” a top security source was quoted as saying by DawnNews. The source said the decision was taken due to Jadhav’s involvement in ‘subversive activities’ in Pakistan.

“So far, we have not been informed officially about the consular access to Jadhav. We have only seen this in media reports,” sources said in Delhi.

The Pakistani security forces had arrested Jadhav from Balochistan in March and alleged that he was “a serving officer in the Indian Navy and deputed to RAW.” Jadhav has been accused by Pakistan of planning ‘subversive activities’ in the country.

“The individual has no link with government since his premature retirement from Indian Navy,” the external affairs ministry had said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said if the neighbour does not allow Indian officers to visit there with regard to the attack on Pathankot airbase, it would amount to a “betrayal”.