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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: May 18, 2017, 06:52 PM IST
In a major diplomatic win for India, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) On Thursday stayed a death sentence given to Kulbhushan Jadhav until the court gives its final decision.
India had approached the world court demanding immediate suspension of the death sentence given to its former Navy officer by a Pakistan military court.
"Pakistan should not execute Jadhav pending final proceedings. The decision to stay Kulbhushan Jadhav's execution pending ICJ hearing is unanimous," said Judge Ronny Abraham, President of the Court.
Stating that the circumstances of Kulbhushan Jadhav's arrest remains disputed, the court said , "India should have been granted consular access as per Vienna convention."
The court also said that Pakistan must take all measures at its disposal to make sure that Jadhav is not executed until final decision, and shall inform the court for all measures taken.
The world court agreed to provisional measures requested by India. The order is binding on both the countries.
"Indian stand is victorious, congratulate all concerned persons, especially the External Affairs Ministry, " said India's Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi.
"Hope that final decision also comes India's way and we can see Mr.Jadhav come back home," he added.
" The entire thing was a charade,Pakistan completely blown by this decision.The decision is certainly binding for both states," Mukul Rohatgi added.
India, whose request for consular access to Jadhav was turned down 16 times, had approached the ICJ on May 8, accusing Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention and conducting a "farcical trial" for convicting Jadhav without a "shred of evidence" following which the court had stayed his execution.
On its part, Pakistan told the ICJ that Vienna Convention provisions on consular access were not intended for a "spy" involved in terror activities and charged India with using the world body as a stage for "political theatre" in the Jadhav case.
It is after 18 years that the two neighbours were fighting it out at the ICJ. Last time, Pakistan had moved the ICJ seeking its intervention over the shooting down of its naval aircraft.
MEA on ICJ order
# Government will do everything possible to save the life of Kulbhushan Jadhav.
# The provisional relief provided by ICJ is the first step in ensuring justice to Jadhav
# ICJ order is unanimous, favourable, clear and unambiguous
Jadhav's friends rejoice post ICJ verdict
Kulbhushan Jadhav's friends expressed satisfaction and joy after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) stayed his execution by a Pakistan military court.
People distributed sweets and, burst crackers at Jadhav's Powai residence and hoped that the former Indian Naval officer returns to India safely.
Celebrations outside residence of #KulbhushanJadhav in Mumbai's Powai after #ICJ stays his death sentence https://t.co/22eR7gLJhx pic.twitter.com/H4nScyKBhR
— DNA (@dna) May 18, 2017
Well done! Harish Salve - you have done India Proud; Rule of Law has won , says Arun Jaitley
#ICJ verdict endorses the relevance and necessity of procedural and substantive fairness which was denied by Pakistan
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) May 18, 2017
Congratulations to EAM Smt. @SushmaSwaraj ji and the entire Hague team
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) May 18, 2017
Relief and satisfaction as the #ICJ order has come- Rule of Law has won.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) May 18, 2017
Congress lauds ICJ decision on Jadhav and appealed to the Government to ensure justice and his return to India.
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad welcomed the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and appealed to the Government to ensure justice and his return to India.
"The case against Kulbhushan Jadhav by Pakistan was a sham and was in gross violation of international law as his execution was ordered by a kangaroo court without consular access. It is appreciated that the World Court saw reason in the Indian appeal," he said in a statement here.
The Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha also appreciated the fact that the ICJ had turned down Pakistan's request that it be allowed to play a purported confessional video at the hearing.
ICJ judgement: PM speaks to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to thank her; appreciates efforts of advocate Harish Salve who represented India in the Jadhav case.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses satisfaction at the judgement of International Court of Justice.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ICJ decision upholds India's right to consular access,puts stay on death execution: A major victory for India in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> case.</p>— Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan) <a href="https://twitter.com/irvpaswan/status/865157340063948802">May 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
ICJ decision upholds India's right to consular access,puts stay on death execution: A major victory for India in #KulbhushanJadhav case.
— Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan) May 18, 2017
We will leave no stone unturned to save Kulbhushan Jadhav: Sushma Swaraj
Reacting to the world court's order, Sushma Swaraj said, "The ICJ order has come as a great relief to the familly of Kulbhushan Jadhav and people of India. We are grateful to Mr.Harish Salve for presenting India's case so effectively before ICJ."
I assure the nation that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi we will leave no stone unturned to save #KulbhushanJadhav.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 18, 2017
I compliment my team of officers in the MEA for their tireless efforts and hard work.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 18, 2017
World court said:
Pakistan should not execute Jadhav pending final proceedings. The decision to stay Kulbhushan Jadhav's execution pending ICJ hearing is unanimous.
World court stays Jadhav's hanging until final decision.
Rights invoked by India under the Vienna Convention are plausible: ICJ Judge Ronny Abraham
The circumstances of Kulbhushan Jadhav's arrest remains disputed. Article 36 of Vienna Convention cannot be applied in Jadhav's case.
The court considers it has prima facie jurisdiction in the case: ICJ Judge Ronny Abraham
The acts alleged by India are under the scope of the Vienna Convention.
ICJ Judge Ronny Abraham
* Both India and Pakistan agree that Kulbhushan Jadhav is an Indian citizen.
* India should have been given consular access as per Vienna convention.
The court notes that parties have differ on the issue of consular access to Jadhav
Judge Ronny Abraham, President of the ICJ reading out verdict.
World Court (ICJ) reading out verdict on Kulbhushan Jadhav
International Court of Justice to announce verdict shortly
Kulbhushan Jadhav case: Summary of India and Pakistan's arguments at the ICJ : Read here
Hawans are also being held in other parts of the country including Varanasi and Patna among others.
Students in Moradabad hold special ceremony in support of Kulbhushan Jadhav
Reactions on Twitter ahead of ICJ verdict
We All Pray for Life of Indian National Kulbhushan Jadhav Thru the Fair Verdict of International Court of Justice @AmitShah @MaheishGirri
— Pankaj Bhagat (@pankaj_bt) May 18, 2017
@aajtak Let it come in India's favour. Salute to Kulbhushan Jadhav. Jai Hind.
— Adv. Subodh Pathak (@subodhp112) May 18, 2017
I pray to lord for the innocence of Mr Kulbhushan Jadhav, May ICJ prove him innocent and put Pakistanis into pressure to send him back.
— Anthony Fernandes (@Antsfern) May 18, 2017
#KulbhushanJadhav If not whole world, certainly the whole of India is keenly waiting for the ICJ judgement. #icjverdict #kulbhushanverdict
— Vijay Kumar (@Vijayhema87) May 18, 2017
Kulbhushan Jadhav case: Here's the list of 'charges' levelled by Pakistan against him - Read here
Locals in Mumbai hold hawan for Kulbhushan Jadhav's 'safe return'
The people attending the prayers were seen carrying photos of Jadhav and banners that spoke of the support for him.
ICJ verdict will come in India's favour: Centre
The Centre expressed confidence about the judgment, saying that it would be pronounced in India's favour. "We have hope with the ICJ. We are confident that the verdict will come in our favour," Union Minister P.P. Choudhary told ANI.
Echoing the same, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nalin Kohli said the central government has argued the matter forcefully in the ICJ and hence the verdict would come in India's favour.
