India submits pleadings to ICJ over Kulbhushan Jadhav case
India has submitted its written pleadings or arguments to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which is hearing the Kulbhushan Jadhav case. Jadhav is a former Indian Navy officer who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for alleged espionage and subversive activities. The ICJ had previously suspended Jadhav's death sentence pending final judgment after India moved the court in May.
Pleadings submitted as per court's order
"India has… submitted its Memorial (written pleadings) to the ICJ in the Jadhav case involving egregious violation of Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963 by Pakistan," the Indian foreign ministry said. On June 13, the court ordered India to file its documents (written pleadings) on September 13 and for Pakistan to file counter-documents on December 13.
How the court case has proceeded so far
On May 8, India had filed an application before the ICJ seeking the suspension of Jadhav's death sentence. India argued Pakistan had violated the Vienna Convention by denying Jadhav consular access, a breach of international human rights laws. On May 18, the ICJ ruled that Pakistan should stay his execution until the ICJ passes its final judgment.
Pakistan claims Jadhav is a spy, India rejects allegations
Pakistan claims Jadhav is an agent of India's R&AW intelligence agency and was arrested in the restive Balochistan province. It views the arrest as proof of India's role in fanning the separatist insurgency in Balochistan. India has denied Pakistan's allegations and maintains Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he has legitimate business interests since retiring from the navy.
