Kulbhushan Jadhav Case: In Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar Calls Upon Pakistan To Release And Repatriate Jadhav

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the detention of Jadhav by Pakistan as illegal and under “fabricated charges.”

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday made a statement in the Rajya Sabha on the Kulbhushan Jahdav case verdict by the International Court of Justice, and called on Pakistan to release and repatriate the Indian national. He described the detention of Jadhav by Pakistan as illegal and under “fabricated charges,” and said that the International Court of Justice is not only a vindication for Jadhav but also for all those who believe in the rule of law. In a major victory for India, the International Court of Justice on Wednesday ruled that Pakistan must review the death sentence for Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "espionage and terrorism". Jadhav, 49, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by the Pakistani military court on charges of "espionage and terrorism" after a closed trial in April 2017. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) by a vote of 15-1 upheld India's claim that Pakistan is in violation of Vienna Convention on several counts. The sole dissenting judge was from Pakistan, Jaishankar said. “ICJ has directed that Pakistan is under an obligation to inform Jadhav without further delay of his rights and to provide Indian consular officers access to him in accordance with Vienna Convention, he stated in the Upper House. "We once again call upon Pakistan to release and repatriate Kulbhushan Jadhav," he said. “In 2017, government made commitment on floor of the House to undertake all steps necessary to protect interest and welfare of Shri Jadhav. Government has made untiring efforts in seeking his release including through legal means in ICJ,” he said. The bench led by President of the Court Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf ordered an "effective review and reconsideration of the conviction and sentence of Mr Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav".