Kulbhushan Jadhav case: India files its second round of written pleadings before ICJ

In keeping with the Order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of Janaury 17, 2018, India on Tuesday submitted its reply to the international court in the case involving Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian naval officer arrested by Pakistan and put on death row on charges of espionage.

India first approached the ICJ on May 18, 2017, stating that Pakistan had violated provisions o the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 while sentencing Jadhav. The court had then pointed out to Pakistan of provisional measures that were requested by India. The ICJ then passed an order obligating Pakistan to not carry out the hanging.

As per the Court order, India had filed written pleadings (Memorial) in the case on 13 September 2017 and Pakistan filed its Counter Memorial on 13 December 2017. Today, India filed its Reply to Pakistan's submissions to the Court. Pakistan has been given time till 17 July 2018 by the Court to file its rejoinder response.

Last Christmas, Jadhav met his wife and mother behind a glass facade - a move that was heavily criticised by India, which stated that Pakistan had violated human rights during the meeting.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj termed Pakistan's behaviour absurd and accused it of repeatedly violating human rights of Jadhav's family. The Congress Party stood in support of Sushma Swaraj in condemnation of Pakistan, over the ill-treatment of former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav's kin when they visited the country to meet him.

“Even after her repeated attempts, the shoes of Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife were not returned. Pakistan says there was a camera or a recorder in the shoes, nothing can be more absurd than this as she traveled in 2 flights with those shoes on. It is an absurdity beyond measure,” Swaraj said.