Kulbhushan Yadav row: Sushma warns Pakistan of consequences, Rajnath says govt will do everything to get justice

Opposition parties on Tuesday raised the issue of Kulbhushan Jadhav who has been sentenced to death in Pakistan on charges of being a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) spy.

"The spy was tried through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) and awarded the death sentence. Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed his death sentence awarded by FGCM," the ISPR had said.

'Save Kulbhushan' was the sentiment that echoed in Lok Sabha, with Parliamentarians across political parties condemning Pakistan.

Responding to this, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, said that India would do whatever possible to secure his release. "Indian Government will do whatever possible for Kulbhushan Jadhav, want to assure all that justice will be done with him," said Rajnath Singh.

Stating that Kulbhushan Jadhav had a valid Indian visa, the Home Minister also questioned Pakistan's allegation of Jadhav being a spy.

Speaking in Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that India will go out of the way to get justice for Jadhav. "Charges against Kulbhushan Jadhav are 'concocted', 'farcical'. There is no evidence of wrong-doing by him," she said.

Swaraj also warned Pakistan of consequences on diplomatic relations if death sentence on Kulbhushan Jadhav is carried out.

Earlier in the day, Congress demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should intervene to secure Kulbhushan's release.

"Death sentence is a deliberate provocation to India. BJP govt needs to travel beyond advisories. PM must intervene to secure his release," said senior Congress leader and party spokesperson Randeep S Surjewala.

India on Monday summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and issued a demarche for awarding the death sentence to Jadhav.

"If this sentence against an Indian citizen, awarded without observing basic norms of law and justice, is carried out, the Government and people of India will regard it as a case of premeditated murder," it read.

Jadhav was arrested on March 3, 2016 through an operation in Balochistan's Mashkel area for his alleged involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan, the ISPR said.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has blasted Pakistan military court system for awarding the death sentence to Jadhav.