Congress dubs Pakistan's intentions dubious, calls on Centre to ensure Jadhav's safety

Jaipur/Manali (Rajasthan/Himachal Pradesh), May 18 (ANI): Former union minister and Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday welcomed the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) ruling in the Kubhushan Jadhav case, but questioned Pakistan's intention and response to the ruling. Pilot told ANI, "The signatories to the Vienna Convention are bound by the verdict of the International Court of Justice. Now, the ICJ has intervened and given relief to Kulbhushan Jadhav, which is a welcome step. I think we all very thankful and appreciative that finally justice has prevailed. The kangaroo military court that Pakistan has established, I think, was completely illegal and there was no ground on which a person could be executed," said Pilot. "Unfortunately, I am not confident about the intentions of Pakistan because it is known for disregarding the international court's verdict. So, I just hope that the Government of India is able to counter those moves and is able to guard Jadhav and his life despite the court's verdict today," he added. Another Congress leader K T S Tulsi congratulated lawyer Harish Salve and the Centre for taking adequate steps in putting forth India's point clearly and succinctly. "I would like to congratulate Mr Harish Salve and the government for a very decisive victory that India has had with the verdict of the ICJ coming entirely in our favour. Pakistan's case was not found to be correct prima facie. I only hope that Pakistan will abide by this verdict and will not defy the order of the international court failing which the consequences could be far more serious," said Tulsi. In a major reprieve to India, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the primary judicial organ of the United Nations, temporarily stayed the death sentence awarded to former Indian Naval officer and alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav by the Pakistan military court, citing that both India and Pakistan were bound by the Vienna Convention and that the rights invoked by New Delhi under the Vienna Convention were plausible. Justice Ronny Abraham of the ICJ read out the much-awaited verdict and asserted that the case was indeed debatable, while also adding that the ICJ had prime facie jurisdiction in the case. Abraham added that under the Vienna Convention, India should have received consular access to seek justice for the former Indian Naval officer. The only condition under which Jadhav now stands to face execution is if Pakistan does not comply with the ICJ's decision. India can then go to the Security Council, which may then decide upon measures to be taken to give effect to the judgement. The UN charter entails that 'each member of the United Nations undertakes to comply with the decision of the International Court of Justice' and 'if any party to a case fails to perform the obligations, the other party may have recourse to the Security Council.' A Pakistan military court had awarded the death sentence to former Indian naval officer Jadhav on April 10 for alleged "espionage and subversive activities." However, India, after being denied consular access for 16th time, dragged Pakistan to the ICJ on May 8 for violating the Vienna Convention. (ANI)