Kulbhushan Jadhav case: Pakistan's judicial system not trustworthy, trial in neutral country only way out, says ex-attorney general Mukul Rohatgi

NEW DELHI: Former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi on Friday said the judicial system in Pakistan is not trustworthy and the only way Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav can get relief is when his plea is heard in a neutral country with a good judicial system.
The former attorney general was reacting to reports of Pakistan's National Assembly approving a Bill allowing Kulbhushan Jadhav to appeal against his conviction in the country's high courts.
"We (India) should ask the international court if the appeal can be heard in a neutral country which has a good judicial system. That probably is the only way Jadhav will get some relief. The judicial system is not trustworthy in Pakistan. By getting a lawyer from India, I don't think he will meet the end of justice," Rohatgi told news agency ANI.
Jadhav, a former Indian Navy personnel is in Pakistani custody since March 2016. He has been accused of encouraging subversive activities, a charge India denies. He has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani court.
The former attorney general said he will take Pakistan's decision to allow Jhadav plea in high courts with a 'pinch of salt', though he added that it's a 'small welcome step'.
"I personally feel that the judicial system and atmosphere in that country (Pakistan) is such that India is treated as an enemy. So I don't really think that Jadhav will get justice in an appeal just by getting an Indian lawyer. I don't think that will serve the purpose," he said.
Rohatgi suggested that India should again make a plea at Human Rights Court and International Court of Justice for Jadhav's release as he was "wrongly arrested and illegally convicted without any rights".
"A neutral lawyer from India or elsewhere -- I don't think it will make difference. We should ask the international court if the appeal can be heard in a neutral country like Sri Lanka or Singapore which have a good judicial system," he said.
Pakistan's National Assembly has approved a bill allowing Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav to appeal his conviction in the high courts of the country.
The bill seeks to provide further right of review and reconsideration in giving effect to the judgment of the International Court of Justice.
The bill was adopted by the National Assembly on Thursday after approval from the 21-member standing committee.
The circumstances in which Jadhav ended up in Pakistani custody remains unexplained. Pakistan has claimed that he was arrested from Balochistan province bordering Iran in March 2016 on charges of espionage and subversive activities.
India has maintained that he was kidnapped from Iran, where he had business interests, and handed over to Pakistani authorities.
He was sentenced to death by a Pakistani court, but the execution was stayed by the International Court of Justice, pending final judgment in the case.
Pakistan allowed India consular access to Jadhav following an order by the ICJ.