ICJ to hold public hearings in Kulbhushan Jadhav case on Monday

New Delhi: After suspending the death sentence of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has decided to hold public hearings in the case on Monday.

“The hearings will be devoted to the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by India,” the ICJ said in a release.

Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan said that it will decide on India's appeal before an international court to stay the execution of the Indian national, accused of spying, in a next few days. New Delhi has backed its appeal saying that the life of an innocent man was under threat.

Islamabad reacted after the ICJ on Tuesday stayed the execution of former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was held guilty of espionage and sabotage by a Pakistani military court on April 10.

“Pakistan is reviewing the move by India… and a decision in this regard will be issued accordingly,” Sartaj Aziz, foreign affairs adviser to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, said, adding a statement will be issued in the next few days.

He further stated that the Pakistan government will also review the ICJ's jurisdiction in the case.

The Pakistani Army, however, has opted a defiant approach over the issue. Pakistani military spokesman Asif Ghafoor said it will respond at an “appropriate level” to any query by the ICJ on Jadhav. His comments came soon after Pak army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa had a meeting with Sharif to hold discussions with the ICJ order.

Pakistan Army had allegedly arrested Jadhav in Balochistan in March 2016. Pakistan accused Jadhav of spying for his country’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

India, in the recent past, had warned Pakistan that if Kulbhushan Jadhav was hanged, it would be considered a “premeditated murder”.

Also Read: India moves ICJ on Kulbhushan Jadhav, gets stay on death sentence

In New Delhi, the foreign ministry defended its decision to move the international court for the first time since 1971.

“Kulbhushan Jadhav is in illegal detention in Pakistan and his life is under threat,” external Affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.

“We made 16 requests for consular access to Jadhav but there was no response from Pakistan on the demand,” he added.

India believes the ICJ can look into Jadhav’s case as the two countries are signatories to the optional protocol of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR). The protocol says any dispute arising out of the interpretation or application of VCCR shall lie within the jurisdiction of the ICJ.

Senior lawyer Harish Salve will represent India when the ICJ hears the Jadhav case. India will seek directions to Pakistan to annul the execution order issued in violation of international law.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, said to be instrumental in moving the international court, tweeted that she spoke to the Jadhav’s mother about the ICJ order.