Islamabad HC Constitutes Special Bench Headed By Chief Justice To Hear Kulbhushan Jadhav Case

The Islamabad High Court has constituted a special bench in order to hear the matter of Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former Indian Navy personnel who has been lodged in a Pakistan jail on charges of alleged espionage, Hindustan Times reported on Thursday (30 July).

The hearing is likely to begin next week on 3 August, by the bench headed by Islamabad HC Chief Justice Athar Minallah. Jadhav will also be provided with an advocate by the Pakistan government to present his case.

The federal government had approached the IHC on 22 July, stating that Jadhav, who it claimed had been involved in several terrorist activities in Pakistan, had refused to file a plea against his sentence, adding that Jadhav cannot appoint a lawyer in Pakistan without assistance from India.

As per the petition, "Jadhav refused to file a petition against his sentence, while New Delhi is also reluctant to avail the facility under the ordinance."

The federation, through the Defence Secretary and the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch of the General Headquarters (GHQ), has been named party in the petition filed by the Federal Minister of Law and Justice.

The move comes after the federal government presented the International Court of Justice (Review and Reconsideration) Ordinance 2020, in relation to Jadhav getting the approval through the National Assembly of Pakistan (Lower House) and is geared up to present it in the Senate (Upper House).

Opposition parties have strongly protested against the ordinance, calling it an open support to the "Indian spy", who has "spread fear and terrorism in the country". However, the ordinance was passed in the lower house amid uproar and protest.

(With inputs from IANS)