Kulbhushan Yadav's Case was fought by whom in ICJ from India?
VerifiedAnswer: Harish Salve
Explanation:
Harish Salve, one of India's most distinguished senior advocates, represented India in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This case became one of the most significant diplomatic and legal battles between India and Pakistan in recent times.
Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer, was arrested by Pakistan in March 2016 on charges of espionage and terrorism. Pakistan claimed he was involved in subversive activities in Balochistan and Karachi. However, India maintained that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he was conducting business activities. The case took a serious turn when Pakistan's military court sentenced him to death in April 2017.
India approached the International Court of Justice in May 2017, arguing that Pakistan had violated the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations by denying consular access to Jadhav. Under this convention, every arrested foreign national has the right to consular assistance from their home country. Pakistan had repeatedly denied India's requests to meet Jadhav, which was a clear breach of international law.
Harish Salve's appointment to represent India was strategic, given his extensive experience in international law and his reputation as one of India's finest legal minds. He had previously served as India's Solicitor General and had represented the country in various high-profile international cases. His expertise in commercial law, constitutional matters, and international arbitration made him the ideal choice for this complex case.
During the hearings at The Hague, Salve presented a compelling case highlighting Pakistan's violations of international law. He argued that Pakistan had failed to inform India about Jadhav's arrest promptly, denied consular access, and conducted an unfair trial through a military court. Salve also questioned the credibility of Pakistan's evidence and the circumstances of Jadhav's alleged confession.
The ICJ delivered its judgment in July 2019, largely in India's favor. The court ordered Pakistan to review and reconsider Jadhav's conviction and sentence, ensure effective consular access, and provide appropriate remedies. This was considered a significant diplomatic victory for India and a testament to Harish Salve's exceptional legal representation at the international forum.
