Kulbhushan Jadhav case: ICJ to announce verdict tomorrow

The International Council of Justice (ICJ) will announce the final decision in Kulbhushan Jadhav case tomorrow 17th of July.

Kulbhusan Jadav who is an in service employee of Indian navy was arrested from Balochistan on March 3rd, 2016. His allegations included spying, terrorism and espionage. Later the case was taken up to ICJ under mutual consent of both countries.

The Jadhav case was brought by India against Pakistan under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963 (article 36 (1) (b)). India alleged that Pakistan has committed a breach of the VCCR 1963 by failing to grant immediate consular access in respect of commander Jadhav on 25th march 2016 and alleging that the military court procedure for espionage on 10th April 2017 was flagrantly unfair.

On 18th May 2017, the ICJ ordered provisional measure to preserve the status quo without any finding on the merits.

Following the filing of written pleadings and evidence on the merits of the case by both India and Pakistan, a hearing was held before the ICJ from 18th-21st February 2019. Pakistan’s legal submission was presented by English Barrister Khawar Qureshi QC while India’s legal submissions were presented by Indian counsel Harish Slave SA.

The final decision was reserved in March. Since then both countries have been anxiously waiting for the final decision. The decision will be announced at 7pm (local Pakistan Standard Time).