Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley chose Kashmir to score a point over Pakistan by lauding the International Court of Justice’s decision to halt the execution order of a Pakistani military court in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case. He said the decision was a serious ‘indictment of the kind of mockery in the name of judicial system that exits in Pakistan.’ Jaitley ruled out immediate initiation of dialogue process with separatist Hurriyat Conference saying the situation must return to normal at the first place. He said while the situation was better in most parts of the Valley including Srinagar, the south Kashmir region remained “challenging”.
Speaking at the press conference here Jaitley sidestepped the financial affairs for a while to refer to the ICJ’s decision in Kulbhushan Jadhav case. “This order, though interim, is a very serious indictment of the kind of mockery in the name of judicial system that exits in Pakistan. Any form of judicial proceeding which is conducted in secrecy which is conducted in darkness and not open for any public gaze lacks the very appearance of justice,” Jaitley said, adding that it is vindication of India’s stand.
He said the order highlights the importance of the fact that when a person is allegedly accused, he has a right of effective defence. He said the consular access was a part of right of effective defence.
Jaitley lauded the Indian team of jurists including Harish Salve who defended the case saying in the annals of international law, this judgment is victory of the rule of law itself.
He refused to link the Jadhav verdict with demand of justice in Kashmir in infamous cases like Pathribal fake encounter. He said the incidents of violence cannot be compared with the Jadhav case.
Referring to the situation in Kashmir, Jaitley said that he held a detailed meeting with Army officers along-with chief of Army staff and Defence secretary.
“I had a detailed meeting with Chief of Army Staff and senior officials and Defence secretary designate and they gave detailed presentation. Army’s principled job is to look after the loC and handle conflict in some areas. In both areas the Army is fully confident of meeting the situations. We must have full faith in the capacity of Army that whatever effective steps on loC and ensure normalcy, we will take steps,” he said.
He said the priority with the Government was the return of normalcy before engaging in dialogue. “let the situation become normal that is top priority,” he said.