Kulbhushan Jadhav case: Pakistan has to follow ruling

Mumbai: While Pakistan on Wednesday said it would respond at an “appropriate level” over India approaching the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to stay the execution of Indian national and former Navy officer Kulbushan Jadhav, senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers and advocates said Pakistan is obliged to follow the ICJ’s decision. Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of spying last month.

On Tuesday, ICJ, based in the The Hague, stayed Jadhav’s execution. “Pakistan cannot do anything now and is obliged to respond,” said a senior IPS officer who requested anonymity as it pertains to a sensitive issue. Both India and Pakistan signed on to the ICJ in 1960. Another senior police officer said, “Pakistan is obliged to follow the ICJ’s decision. This is binding for all nations who have signed the treaty for international justice.”

He said, “They (Pakistan) will have to follow (the ruling), the legal battle will go on and I am sure India will win. Pakistan has approached the ICJ against India in several cases, so it is binding on both the parties.”

Jadhav kin welcome stay order
Family and friends of Kulbhushan Jadhav have welcomed the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision to stay the execution of the former Indian navy officer. Pakistan’s military court had granted death penalty to Kulbhushan Jadhav after allegedly finding him ‘guilty’ of espionage.

Pakistan’s field general court martial had last month awarded death penalty to Jadhav. Pakistan has claimed it had arrested Jadhav on March 3 last year from a place near Iran border.

Jadhav’s childhood Tulsidas Pawar said, “It’s a great achievement for India and Indian people.”  Jadhav’s residence at the Silver Oak residential society in Powai, Andheri east, however, wore a deserted look on Wednesday. The building’s security guard said that the Jadhav family had shifted to Pune a few days ago.

Jadhav’s uncle Subhash Jadhav said, “We have hope that he would come back, or that something positive would happen. We always wait to hear some or other announcement from the Indian government, and our officials didn’t let us down.” He added, “Earlier, with the news of his death sentenced we were totally broken, but now there is some hope.”

Speaking about Jadhav’s parents, Mr Pawar also said, “If one has to hear about one’s son being sentenced to death, then what will one’s condition be. But now everyone is so happy. We are childhood friend, and I was happy when I heard about stay order on his death sentenced.”

Vijay Kanaujia, 27, who could pursue his education due to Jadhav’s encouragement, is hopeful that he will return home. Mr Kanaujia had dropped out of the school to earn a livelihood by doing odd jobs, including “ironing Jadhav’s clothes.” However, after being sponsored by Jadhav, he eventually completed his graduation in physics.