Situation grave| Need to take immediate steps to save Jadhav: India at ICJ

New Delhi: 'The situation is grave,' were the words that India stated while requesting the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to take immediate steps to stop Pakistan from carrying out the death sentence of former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav.

India on Monday put up a spirited defence and urged the international court to immediately suspend the death sentence awarded to alleged spy Kulbushan Jadhav in Pakistan, saying that there was fear that he may be executed even before the court decides the case.

New Delhi was represented by noted lawyer Harish Salve, who led the Indian legal team at the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ), said the matter was 'urgent and hence India approached this court' that took up the case 'at such a short notice'.

Salve told the court that we (India) have made innumerable requests for consular access to Jadhav but Pakistan refused to provide documents relating to the case and consular access to him.

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"Jadhav was framed on confessional statements extracted from him when he was in Pakistan's military custody," Salve said.

The allegations that Pak has levelled on Jadhav were refuted by Salve, arguing that India’s case stresses on the fact that throughout his incarceration, Jadhav was denied consular access.

He also stated before the court that Jadhav’s tape was doctored.

India, while stating that Pakistan violated international laws by denying consular access to Jadhav, said, “Pakistan’s conduct violates the Vienna Convention. The more serious the charge, the greater is the need for procedural safeguards to protect the rights of the accused.”

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He also stated that impartiality of Pakistan military court could be doubted, considering that Jadhav’s appeal was heard by a military court, presided over by a two-star general, whereas his death sentence was confirmed by a four-star general.

It could be mentioned that Pakistani legal experts are of the view that India's case at the global legal tribunal is weak.