The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to announce its verdict in Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav’s case today (Wednesday).
The Indian spy was arrested on March 3, 2016, from Balochistan on allegations of espionage and terrorism.
In his subsequent trial at the military court, Jadhav confessed to his involvement in terrorist plots. The army chief on April 10, 2017, had endorsed the death penalty for Jadhav after he confessed to his involvement in terrorist activities. However, the ICJ ordered a stay in his execution.
In June 2017, the Indian spy filed a mercy petition against the death penalty in which he confessed to his involvement in espionage and terrorist plots. It is going to be for the first time that a 16-judge bench of the ICJ, led by a Muslim judge, Justice Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, would decide whether consular access should be given to the spy or not.
Former chief justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani is also an ad hoc judge in this case. India’s Dalveer Bhandari, who is a permanent judge, is also a member of the bench.
In five cases, the ICJ gave consular access to the applicable state, but it is the first case wherein the ICJ will determine whether or not the spy should be given consular access.
Barrister Khawar Qureshi (Queens Counsel) argued on behalf of Pakistan, while Harish Salve gave oral submission on behalf of India.
