In a major victory for India, the International Court of Justice on Wednesday ruled that Pakistan must review the death sentence for Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court
Reading out the verdict, President of the Court Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf ordered an “effective review and reconsideration of the conviction and sentence of Mr. Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav”
The verdict in the high-profile case comes nearly five months after a 15-member bench of ICJ led by Judge Yusuf had reserved its decision on February 21 after hearing oral submissions by India and Pakistan. The proceedings of the case took two years and two months to complete. India moved the ICJ in May 8, 2017 for the “egregious violation” of the provisions of the Vienna Convention by Pakistan by repeatedly denying New Delhi consular access to Jadhav.
Also Read: Kulbhushan Jadhav ICJ Verdict: India given consular access
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the ICJ decision saying the verdict was based on the study of facts. PM Modi on his twitter account wrote, “We welcome today’s verdict in the @CIJ_ICJ. Truth and justice have prevailed. Congratulations to the ICJ for a verdict based on extensive study of facts. I am sure Kulbhushan Jadhav will get justice. Our Government will always work for the safety and welfare of every Indian.”
We welcome today’s verdict in the @CIJ_ICJ. Truth and justice have prevailed. Congratulations to the ICJ for a verdict based on extensive study of facts. I am sure Kulbhushan Jadhav will get justice.
Our Government will always work for the safety and welfare of every Indian.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 17, 2019
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed his joy over the verdict and wrote that one day Jadhav will be freed to return to his home. Gandhi on his twitter account wrote,” I welcome the ICJ verdict. My thoughts tonight are with Kulbhushan Jadhav, alone in a prison cell in Pakistan & with his distraught family for whom this verdict brings a rare moment of relief, joy & renewed hope, that he will one day be free to return to his home in India.”
I welcome the ICJ verdict.
My thoughts tonight are with #KulbhushanJadhav , alone in a prison cell in Pakistan & with his distraught family for whom this verdict brings a rare moment of relief, joy & renewed hope, that he will one day be free to return to his home in India
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 17, 2019
Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj who was in the forefront for taking Kulbhushan Jadhav’s case to the Internation Court of Justice during her tenure also expressed her happiness over the verdict. She wrote, “I wholeheartedly welcome the verdict of International Court of Justice in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav. It is a great victory for India.”
I wholeheartedly welcome the verdict of International Court of Justice in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav. It is a great victory for India. /1
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 17, 2019
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed the ICJ verdict as a big diplomatic victory for India. Singh on his twitter account wrote, “The ICJ’s verdict on Kulbhushan Jadhav is big victory for India. The ICJ directing Pakistan to grant consular access to Jadhav and asking them to review the conviction and the sentence is a welcome decision. It is also a big win for PM Modi’s diplomatic initiative.”
The ICJ’s verdict on Kulbhushan Jadhav is big victory for India. The ICJ directing Pakistan to grant consular access to Jadhav and asking them to review the conviction and the sentence is a welcome decision.
It is also a big win for PM Sh.@narendramodi’s diplomatic initiative.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 17, 2019
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the ICJ verdict as a victory of truth and protects human dignity. He wrote,” A great day at the ICJ ! The verdict is a victory of truth and protects human dignity. It is yet another manifestation of Modi Government’s diplomatic efforts and commitment to protect all Indians. I congratulate Harish Salve ji for his stupendous efforts through the case.”
A great day at the @CIJ_ICJ! The verdict is a victory of truth and protects human dignity.
It is yet another manifestation of Modi Government’s diplomatic efforts and commitment to protect all Indians.
I congratulate Harish Salve ji for his stupendous efforts through the case.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 17, 2019
Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan also responded to the ICJ decision. Khan on his twitter account wrote, “Appreciate ICJ’s decision not to acquit, release & return Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav to India. He is guilty of crimes against the people of Pakistan. Pakistan shall proceed further as per law.”
Appreciate ICJ’s decision not to acquit, release & return Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav to India. He is guilty of crimes against the people of Pakistan. Pakistan shall proceed further as per law.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 18, 2019
Jadhav, 49, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by the Pakistani military court on charges of “espionage and terrorism” after a closed trial in April 2017.
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