Jadhav's friends thank govt, people of India, media after ICJ order

Mumbai: After the International Court of Justice (ICJ) put a stay on the execution order by a Pakistan military court to former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, his friends on Wednesday expressed gratefulness to the government, media and the people of the country and are hopeful of his victorious and safe return back to the country.

Appreciating the government's swift move of reaching out to the ICJ, Jadhav's friends feel he is going to be back home soon.

Tulsidas Pawar, one of Jadhav's friends, told ANI, "The government's move is laudable and the triumphant fruits that we are bearing today, are all owed to their efforts and the plethora of prayers showered upon by the citizens. There is a strong gut feel that he can be back home any time soon."

His friends also expressed gratitude to the media for giving adequate coverage to Jadhav.

Vandana Pawar, one of Jadhav's friends, said, "We are grateful to the Indian media as they stood beside Jadhav formidably. Back in the yore days, during Sarabjeet's time, media did not give him this type of coverage, thereby, we all know he had to meet his fateful end. I just wish to have a tiny bit of glimpse of Jadhav."

"Right from the beginning Pakistan attempted setting up Jadhav using the manipulative ways, thereby international court supported us. I believe, his mother should be allowed to meet him now," added she.

Echoing similar views, Arvind Singh, another friend of Jadhav, demanded a fair trail and urged Pakistan to mend its ways.

Singh said, "Pakistan is under immense international pressure and will now have to mend its disingenuous ways. We demand a fair trial, just the way, we gave it to Kasab. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the citizens, government and the ICJ. We won the first step and are hopeful of winning many battles ahead as well."

Pakistan had claimed that Jadhav was arrested from the Baluchistan province last year. A military court sentenced him to death, alleging he was involved in espionage and anti-national activities. Pakistan also claimed that he was "a serving officer in the Indian Navy."