MEA denies indifference to Jadhav case

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 8

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has denied that it was indifferent to the case of former Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, currently imprisoned in Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistan has failed to respond on core issues pertaining to the case, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at the weekly media briefing on Thursday.

The core issues are handing over to India copies of relevant documents related to the case and providing unimpeded and unhindered counsellor access to Jadhav, said Srivastava while responding to the Islamabad High Court’s observations regarding lack of any attempt by the Indian Government to appoint a counsel to represent Jadhav to review his death sentence.

Two renowned Pakistani lawyers have turned down the Islamabad High Court’s offer to represent Jadhav as amicus curiae. New Delhi, however, wants Jadhav to be represented by an Indian lawyer, which is not possible under present laws in Pakistan.

Jadhav has been in Pakistani custody since 2016. After a favourable ICJ order to review his case, India has complained that Islamabad has been creating an “illusion of remedy”. It continues to deny India free and unimpeded access to Jadhav nor does it permit an Indian lawyer to appear for Jadhav in review and reconsideration proceedings.