PIL filed in HC seeking report from centre on Kulbhushan Jadhav’s release

Kulbhushan Jadhav/File Photo

New Delhi: As the pressure on Pakistan over release of former Indian Airforce official Kulbhushan Jadhav has increased, a Public Interest Litigation PIL has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking response from the Centre on exploring remedies via International Court of Justice. The petitioner Rahul Sharma sought court’s intervention on the issue of release of Jadhav and also requested the court to seek response from the Centre on the possibility of seeking legal remedies through International Court of Justice for Jadhav’s release. The Pakistan Army had earlier said there will be no compromise on the issue of death sentence awarded to Jadhav. Jadhav was awarded death penalty on April 10 in an unprecedented decision that triggered diplomatic spat between the two hostile neighbours. Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had earlier warned Islamabad that it risked damaging bilateral ties with New Delhi if it went ahead with the execution of Jadhav. Pakistan refuses consular access to Kulbhushan Yadav: The Pakistan Army has ruled out any consular access to alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav saying he is not eligible for it as per the laws. "Kulbhushan is not eligible for consular access nor will be granted consular access," said Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor. He alleged that Jadhav, caught on anti-state activities, was trialed under court martial. "This was purely an act by the Army to which the Army as an institution said we will not compromise on his sentence," he said. Jadhav was arrested in March last year in the restive Balochistan province and accused of being a Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) agent. India has, however, so far categorically denied such charges. Pakistan calls Kulbhushan, a terrorist:  After death sentence to Indian national by Pakistan military court sparked angry reaction from India, Pakistan on Friday said Kalbhushan Yadav was involved in terrorism and he possessed two passports. Addressing the media foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz said, "Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is responsible for espionage, sabotage and terrorism in Pakistan has been tried according to the law of the land, in a fully transparent manner while preserving his rights."