Kulbhushan Jadhav case: India says carefully considered decision to approach ICJ

The International Court of Justice late on Tuesday stayed the hanging of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of spying, a day after India approached The Hague-based ICJ on the issue.

India said on Wednesday it was a “carefully considered decision” to approach the International Court of Justice in Kulbhushan Jadhav case.

A file photo of former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court. (PTI)

The Hague-based ICJ has stayed the hanging of Indian national Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of spying.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said the move was in the interest of saving the life of an Indian citizen, who is in “illegal detention” and whose “life is under threat”.

Baglay also said India made 16 requests for consular access to Jadhav which were denied by Pakistan and that there was no information on status of appeal by Jadhav’s family against the order of the Pakistani military court.

The spokesperson added India had no information about Jadhav’s location and health so far.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja M Asif called India’s action an “attempt to divert attention from state sponsored terrorism” in that country.

Jadhav (46) was sentenced to death last month, evoking a sharp reaction in India. New Delhi warned Pakistan of consequences and damage to bilateral ties if the “pre-meditated murder” was carried out.