Pak again rejects access to Jadhav, says India failed to respond to query

India said it has sought consular access to Jadhav 13 times earlier, but was refused each time

IANS  |  Islamabad | Kolkata 

Kulbhushan Jadhav
File photo of former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of 'espionage'

on Friday rejected India's 14th attempt for consular access to alleged spy Kulbhushan and maintained the trial sentencing him to death was according to the laws of the country.

also said that had not responded to "specific information" sought on in January -- which New Delhi has rejected.

Indian High Commissioner met Foreign Secretary in Islamabad with a request for consular access to and also sought a copy of the charge-sheet against him.

The request was turned down. "We demanded a meeting (with Jadhav), but they denied," Bambawale told reporters after meeting Janjua.

said it has sought consular access to 13 times earlier, but was refused each time.

Making a statement on Jadhav's arrest and trial, Pakistan's top foreign policy chief slammed the "inflammatory statements and rhetoric of premeditated murder" issued by the Indian government, which he said would only escalate tensions.

He also asked how Jadhav, "an innocent man", could have two passports.

At the time of his arrest in March 2016, had one passport in his name, and a second in the name of Hussain Mubarak Patel.

"Why was using a fake name in his identity documents," Aziz asked.

Aziz said the April 10 sentencing of was "as per the law of the land" and was a "fully transparent process". He said Jadhav, who belongs to Maharashtra in India, had been involved in subversive activities in

To Indian claims that has not responded to its letters seeking information on Jadhav, Aziz said that New Delhi has not responded to a "Letter of Assistance requesting specific information and access to certain key witnesses" sent on January 23 this year. "There has been no response from the Indian side so far."

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in Kolkata, denied the charge, saying: "No no, that's not true."

Rajnath also said he felt that did not get a transparent trial. "All efforts are on to get Kulbhushan justice. will go to any extent to get him justice," he said.

Aziz said that had the right to appeal within 40 days to a higher court.

Jadhav, who was tried by a military court, could also file a mercy petition with the Army Chief within 60 days of the decision by the appellate court. His last option was to file a mercy petition with the President of within 90 days after the decision of the army chief.

He said Jadhav's sentencing was based on "credible, specific evidence" proving his involvement in espionage and terrorist activities in

Rejecting Indian contention that was a retired naval commander, Aziz said that had failed to provide any "credible explanation of why their naval commander was in Balochistan".

is said to have been arrested in a counter-intelligence operation in Balochistan's Mashkel area.

Aziz said India's lack of cooperation and refusal to provide legal assistance in the case were the reasons why consular access had not been provided to

The adviser said Jadhav's "confessional statement" had been recorded before a magistrate and the proceedings were conducted under proper laws.

A qualified legal officer was also provided to defend him in court proceedings, he said.

The developments are likely to impact on the already strained diplomatic relations, which have steadily worsened over the past few months over the Kashmir issue and terror attacks, which has blamed on

Pak again rejects access to Jadhav, says India failed to respond to query

India said it has sought consular access to Jadhav 13 times earlier, but was refused each time

India said it has sought consular access to Jadhav 13 times earlier, but was refused each time

on Friday rejected India's 14th attempt for consular access to alleged spy Kulbhushan and maintained the trial sentencing him to death was according to the laws of the country.

also said that had not responded to "specific information" sought on in January -- which New Delhi has rejected.

Indian High Commissioner met Foreign Secretary in Islamabad with a request for consular access to and also sought a copy of the charge-sheet against him.

The request was turned down. "We demanded a meeting (with Jadhav), but they denied," Bambawale told reporters after meeting Janjua.

said it has sought consular access to 13 times earlier, but was refused each time.

Making a statement on Jadhav's arrest and trial, Pakistan's top foreign policy chief slammed the "inflammatory statements and rhetoric of premeditated murder" issued by the Indian government, which he said would only escalate tensions.

He also asked how Jadhav, "an innocent man", could have two passports.

At the time of his arrest in March 2016, had one passport in his name, and a second in the name of Hussain Mubarak Patel.

"Why was using a fake name in his identity documents," Aziz asked.

Aziz said the April 10 sentencing of was "as per the law of the land" and was a "fully transparent process". He said Jadhav, who belongs to Maharashtra in India, had been involved in subversive activities in

To Indian claims that has not responded to its letters seeking information on Jadhav, Aziz said that New Delhi has not responded to a "Letter of Assistance requesting specific information and access to certain key witnesses" sent on January 23 this year. "There has been no response from the Indian side so far."

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in Kolkata, denied the charge, saying: "No no, that's not true."

Rajnath also said he felt that did not get a transparent trial. "All efforts are on to get Kulbhushan justice. will go to any extent to get him justice," he said.

Aziz said that had the right to appeal within 40 days to a higher court.

Jadhav, who was tried by a military court, could also file a mercy petition with the Army Chief within 60 days of the decision by the appellate court. His last option was to file a mercy petition with the President of within 90 days after the decision of the army chief.

He said Jadhav's sentencing was based on "credible, specific evidence" proving his involvement in espionage and terrorist activities in

Rejecting Indian contention that was a retired naval commander, Aziz said that had failed to provide any "credible explanation of why their naval commander was in Balochistan".

is said to have been arrested in a counter-intelligence operation in Balochistan's Mashkel area.

Aziz said India's lack of cooperation and refusal to provide legal assistance in the case were the reasons why consular access had not been provided to

The adviser said Jadhav's "confessional statement" had been recorded before a magistrate and the proceedings were conducted under proper laws.

A qualified legal officer was also provided to defend him in court proceedings, he said.

The developments are likely to impact on the already strained diplomatic relations, which have steadily worsened over the past few months over the Kashmir issue and terror attacks, which has blamed on

image
Business Standard
177 22