Pakistan blocks all judicial channels in Kulbhushan case, Foreign Ministry

New Delhi: Pakistan has blocked all legal channels to appeal against the death sentence handed out to Kulbhushan Jadhav, and this is a blatant violation of the verdict given by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). India appointed a lawyer in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case. Foreign ministry spokesman, Anurag Srivastava, said that the petition could not be filed as the necessary documents regarding the case were not available.

India is considering other options as the legal access has been denied to Kulbhushan Jadhav by Pakistan. Legal opinions are being taken in the matter. India has the option to approach the ICJ. To assist Jadhav to file a review petition, the Indian government appointed a lawyer from Pakistan. Foreign ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said that the lawyers in Pakistan informed that the review petition could not be filed as the Power of Attorney and other necessary documents were not available.

Pakistan has not only violated the verdict of the ICJ but also has violated the judgement of the Pakistan military court. The ordinance issued on the 20th May to review the death punishment and for reconsideration of the judgement has also been ignored. India accused that Pakistan is creating obstacles to ensure that Jadhav does not get any legal assistance.

Pakistan said that the petition would have to be filed on or before 19th July. After that, the date was extended to 20th July. Pakistan has blocked all the avenues leading to a solution to this issue. Indian has requested Pakistan, 12 times in one year, seeking permission for the Indian diplomats to meet Kulbhushan Jadhav. But Pakistan is not making the relevant documents available and is creating obstacles in the meeting between Indian diplomats and Kulbhushan Jadhav. Srivastava said that the Indian diplomats were permitted to meet Kulbhushan Jadhav on 16th July. But as the instructions of not to hand over any documents to the Indian officials were issued, the Power of Attorney could not be taken from Jadhav.

Pakistan has been found guilty of violating the Vienna convention. But Pakistan is not willing to implement the verdict given by the ICJ in this matter. Pakistan seems to have made this a prestige issue.