The Hague, Feb 18 (UNI) India on Monday sought annulment of the verdict awarding death sentence to the former Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav and demanded his release from the Pakistan custody.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) began its public hearing on the high voltage Kulbhushan Jadhav case with the Indian agent Deepak Mittal telling the court that Pakistan had conducted a 'farcical trial' against him.
Asserting that Jadhav’s trial by a Pakistan Army court failed to satisfy “even the minimum standards of due process”.
Making the first round of arguments in the four-day public hearing, ex-solicitor general Harish Salve, representing India, urged the UN top court to declare the continued custody of Jadhav without consular access “unlawful” as per the Vienna Convention, saying that Pakistan’s “story” was based on rhetoric rather than facts.
Salve further said Pakistan was using Jadhav as a propaganda tool. The UN court had stayed Jadhav’s execution in May 2017 after it was approached by India.
“No credible evidence was provided by Pakistan to show his involvement in any act of terrorism. Pakistan is using this as a propaganda tool. Pakistan used the confession document as propaganda. Pakistan has disrespected the Vienna Convention,” Salve said.
“Rights of Kulbhushan Jadhav and India have been brazenly violated by Pakistan. Consequences must follow,” Salve in court.
Accusing Pakistan of flouting the Vienna Convention, which ensures the facility of consular access to foreign nationals who have been put on trial in a foreign country, Salve said Pakistan did not inform Jadhav of his rights nor did it inform India about his arrest.
"India submits that Pakistan has egregiously violated Article 36 of the Vienna Convention and demands that Jadhav be released forthwith," Harish Salve concluded India's oral round.
Pakistan will present its case on Tuesday.
UNI XC RSU SHK1942