The Pakistan Government, on the 19th of July, released a statement and granted consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, a retired Indian navy officer.
The move came after the International Court of Justice, on the 17th of July, asked the Pakistan Court to review the death sentence given to Kulbhushan Jadhav and reconsider it.
Post midnight, on the 20th of July, the Pakistan Government released a statement granting consular access to Jadhav, following which, he was allowed to connect to Indian officials.
The official release read, “Pursuant to the decision of the ICJ, Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav has been informed of his rights under Article 36, Paragraph 1 (b) of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. As a responsible state, Pakistan will grant consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav according to Pakistani laws, for which modalities are being worked out.”
Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested by the Pakistan Police in March 2016, did not meet any official from India.
The Pakistan Foreign Office said Kulbhushan Jadhav was informed about his consular rights, as per the Vienna Convention Act.
The Indian Government, after the verdict of the ICJ, repeatedly asked Pakistan to take immediate action regarding the case and grant consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav.
The consular access is said to be a step towards victory for the Indian Government, legally. Later, India also plans to appeal for the release of Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was alleged of being involved in espionage.
Stay tuned for further updates.
