India to appeal against Jadhav’s death sentence, seeks charge-sheet

India has toughened its stand against Pakistan after Islamabad once again rejected India’s request for counsellor access to Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Gautam Bambawale met Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and demanded a copy of the charge-sheet and consular access to the retired Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a military court in Pakistan.

However, any hopes of consular access were again dashed after Pakistan turned down India’s demand yet again for the 14th time.

In related development, condemning Pakistan’s action, Minister of State for External Affairs General V.K. Singh and Home Minister Rajnath Singh have said that the government is doing everything it can to ensure Jadhav’s safety.

India is making all possible efforts to bring retired Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been given the death penalty by an army court, home. Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Gautam Bambawale met Pakistan foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua and put across three demands. Firstly a certified copy of the charge-sheet, next a copy of the judgement in the death sentence of Kulbhushan Jadhav and lastly consular access to him. This is India’s 14th such request so far Pakistan has denied India consular access.

Not only has Pakistan violated international conventions in the Kulbhushan matter, it has also breached agreements with India drawing all round criticism despite this it continues with its belligerent stand.

Sartaz Aziz, adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on foreign affairs, defended the military court’s verdict against Kulbhushan Jadhav, and said the government had concrete evidence against him.

Strongly condemning Pakistan’s action, Minister of State for External Affairs General V.K. Singh and Home Minister Rajnath Singh have said that the government is doing everything it can to ensure Jadhav’s safety and that Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price if he is executed.

Baloch leaders in United States of America expressed their solidarity with Jadhav. They protested against human rights violations by Pakistan.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj gave a detailed statement in Parliament, warning Pakistan that Jadhav’s execution would hit ties between the two nations. Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistan court on Monday on charges of spying for the Research and Analysis Wing.

He was arrested last year in March from Chaman, an area close to Pakistan’s border in Iran. The govt has maintained that Jadhav’s trial and sentencing has been carried out in a summary manner without the backing of evidence.