Kulbhushan Jadhav can appeal against the death penalty, Pakistan leans against India

Islamabad, Ta. 9 July 2020, Thursday

In the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, Pakistan's stubbornness has now eased. Pakistan has backtracked on its decision over India's tough stance. Pakistan's foreign ministry on Wednesday allowed Kulbhushan Jadhav to appeal against the death sentence.

Pakistan has claimed that Jadhav had to bring a special ordinance before making this appeal. However, India has called Pakistan's claim a hoax. India has said that the neighboring country is only a part of the drama that has been going on for the last 4 years and it only and only wants to create confusion in this matter. Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said Jadhav was explicitly pressured not to file an application in the matter. Anurag described it as a shameful attempt to deprive Jadhav of even the inadequate resources available to him.

On Wednesday afternoon, Pakistan said it had refused to appeal against Jadhav's death sentence, reversing its own statement in the evening. All necessary steps have been taken. He said Jadhav or his legal representative or the Consular Officer of India in Islamabad could file an appeal and review. Also allowed second consular access.

What said before

In the case of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, Pakistan has sent a proposal of second consular access to India, also claiming that Kulbhushan has refused to file a review petition and asked for consideration of the mercy petition.

Pakistan claimed that Kulbhushan Jadhav was summoned on June 17 to file a review petition. However, Jadhav refused to come. Pakistan claims that Jadhav has demanded that his mercy petition be forwarded.

Pakistan was defeated by the International Court of Justice

Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death in a one-sided verdict by a Pakistani military court, which later led to Pakistan's defeat in the International Court of Justice and a fresh retrial. Pakistan, on the other hand, has claimed that Kulbhushan has refused to file a review petition against the death sentence handed down.