Kulbhushan Jadhav case verdict today: Mumbai prays for return of soldier named spy by Pakistan

India has appealed to stay the execution of Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for alleged espionage

With the International Court of Justice (ICJ) set to give its verdict on the Kulbhushan Jadhav case today, Mumbai has started praying for its soldier.

A puja being held for a verdict in favour of Kulbhushan Jadhav (Prashant Waydande)

India has appealed to stay the execution of Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for alleged espionage.

Residents of Kandivli offered prayers at a Shiv temple in the morning.

Mumbaiites want Jadhav to return home safely. (Prashant Waydande)

Pakistan claims Jadhav, 46, was arrested in March last year in the restive Balochistan province.

In April, a military court sentenced him to death for alleged involvement in spying and subversive activities.

India has contended he was kidnapped from the Iranian port of Chabahar and his secret trial was a “farce”.

His childhood friends in the city had started a campaign to put forward his case. They would be meeting prominent politicians in the state and country to keep the pressure on the government.

Jadhav grew up in Parel and the family currently stays in Powai.