Tension between India and Pakistan spiked on Friday over death sentence awarded to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav by a Pakistan Army court. While India asked the neighbouring country to provide documents related to the trial and consular access, the neighbouring country warned that “inflammatory” statements over Jadhav’s death sentence would only result in escalation of tension in the bilateral ties.
In the midst of a continuing war of words over what India has described as “false charges” and “farcical trial”, Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Gautam Bambawale met Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina and asked for a certified copy of the chargesheet as well as the judgment on Jadhav.
“They have denied our request for consular access 13 times (in the last one year). I have again requested the Pakistan Foreign Secretary to give access to Jadhav so that we can appeal,” Bamwale told PTI.
Sources in New Delhi said apart from diplomatic options, India will also explore legal remedies permitted under Pakistan legal system, including Jadhav’s family appealing against the verdict.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh refuted Pakistan’s claim of a fair trial being given to Jadhav and said all efforts were being made to secure justice for him.
“I do not agree with what Pakistan has said. Kulbhushan Jadhav did not get a fair trial,” he told a Press meet in Kolkata. “All efforts are being made to secure justice for Jadhav. We will do everything,” he added.
He was reacting to Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz assertion that due process of law was followed in the trial of 46-year-old Jadhav.
Sartaj Aziz rejected India’s accusations that there was no credible evidence against Jadhav and warned that “inflammatory” statements over his death sentence would only result in escalation of tension in the bilateral ties.
In a detailed statement read out to the media at the Foreign Office, Aziz said the first FIR against Jadhav was lodged on April 8, 2016 by police’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan.
He said detailed trial was held and all relevant laws, including Evidence Act and recording of statement before a magistrate, were followed. Jadhav was also provided legal assistance.
“Kulbhushan Jhadav, who is responsible for espionage, sabotage and terrorism in Pakistan, has been tried according to the law of the land, in a fully transparent manner while preserving his rights, as
per the Constitution of Pakistan,” he said.
“His sentence is based on credible, specific evidence proving his involvement in espionage and terrorist activities in Pakistan,” he added.
On Thursday, India had criticised the Pakistan Government for not sharing Jadhav’s location and details of his condition and said that the international norm to provide consular access was not followed. India and Pakistan have a bilateral agreement on consular access.
India had conveyed to Pakistan that given the circumstances of the case, absence of any credible evidence to substantiate the concocted charges against Jadhav, farcical nature of the proceedings against him and denial of consular access to him, the people and the Government of India will consider this as a “premeditated murder”.
“I would like to ask India why Kulbhushan Jhadav was using a fake identity impersonating as a MuslimIJ Why would an innocent man possess two passports, one with a Hindu name and another with a Muslim nameIJ Since India has no credible explanation about why their serving Naval Commander was in Balochistan, it has unleashed a flimsy propaganda campaign.
“Inflammatory statements and rhetoric about ‘pre- meditated murder’ and ‘unrest in Balochistan’, will only result in escalation, serving no useful purpose,” Aziz warned.
“We condemn the baseless allegations from India, especially in the light of the fact that it was non- cooperation and lack of Indian response to Pakistan’s request for legal assistance, due to which consular access has not been provided to Mr. Jhadav.
“We expect India to behave responsibly and refrain from issuing statements that will further aggravate people-to-people hostility. More active diplomacy is therefore needed to arrest the growing crises in India-Pakistan relations before it becomes even more serious,” Aziz said.
Aziz also said that a letter of Assistance requesting specific information and access to certain key witnesses was shared with the Government of India on January 23, 2017.
“There has been no response from the Indian side so far,” he said. Providing details of the trial, Aziz said that the confessional video statement of Jhadav followed by initial FIR in CTD Quetta on April 8, 2016.
The initial interrogation was done on May 2 and detailed interrogation on May 22. It was followed by the constitution of a Joint Investigation Team on July 12. The confessional statement under Section 164 CrPC was recorded on July 22 and recording of summary of evidence done on September 24.
The first trial proceeding was held on September 21, second proceeding on October 19, third proceeding on November 29, 2016 and fourth proceeding on February 12, 2017. The death sentence was endorsed on April 10, 2017.
Aziz said that a law qualified field officer was provided to defend Jadhav throughout the court proceedings. Aziz said Jadhav can appeal against the verdict of the military tribunal within 40 days to a military Appellate Court. He can file an appeal to the Army chief within 60 days against the decision of the Appellate Court.
Jadhav can file mercy petition to the President of Pakistan within 90 days if the Army chief rejects the appeal for clemency. Aziz listed a several cases of terrorism in which he said Jadhav was involved.
“He was part of sabotage and terrorism in which civilians and security personnel were killed,” he claimed.
Aziz also accused Jadhav of orchestrating attacks against minority Shia Hazara community in Quetta. Aziz also said that India has not allowed consular access to many Pakistani prisoners for many years despite repeated requests. He also said that all political parties had supported the decision of the military tribunal and the entire nation was united against any threat.