India seeks consular access for Kulbhushan Jadhav

India to explore legal remedies permitted under Pakistan legal system

Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Gautam Bambawale on Friday called on Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua in connection with the case of retired Indian navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been given death sentence by an army court there.

"I have asked for a certified copy of the charge-sheet as well as the judgement in the death sentence of Kulbhushan Jadhav", Indian High Commissioner said.

According to sources, Mr. Bambawale also raised the issue of consular access to Jadhav as Pakistan has rejected 13 of India's requests for the same in the last one year.

Apart from diplomatic options, India will also explore legal remedies permitted under Pakistan legal system including Jadhav's family appealing against the verdict.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that India needs consular access to him as it is difficult to verify the charges levelled against him. The MEA said that it did not get any response from Pakistan on his whereabouts or from Iran about the conditions in which he was taken away by the Pakistani authorities.

'Farcical trial'

"The trial of Kulbhushan Jadhav was farcical and due process of law has been denied to him... it is necessary to get access to him to probe the allegations levelled against him," official spokesperson Gopal Baglay said, adding, "Pakistan had to grant consular access to India expeditiously but that was not done".

The Ministry also stated that it had no idea about the physical condition of Mr. Jadhav. "We do not know about his condition nor has Pakistan government informed us about his location," the spokesperson said, maintaining that the government is in touch with his family.