ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan government has sought access to 13 Indianofficials to ascertain information in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case — a factthat is supposedly also mentioned in the counter-memorial submitted at theInternational Court of Justice (ICJ) by Pakistan. But New Delhi hasremained stubbornly uncooperative, Dawn News has reported.
The official explained that Jadhav has multiple cases against him in whichhe had been indicted on terror- and sabotage-related charges. The caseswere progressing, he said, emphasising the one relating to spying had onlyconcluded.
Jadhav was captured by Pakistani security forces on March 3, 2016, inBalochistan. He was in April last year sentenced to death by a FieldGeneral Court Martial (FGCM) after being found guilty of espionage underSection 59 of the Pakistan Army Act (PAA), 1952, and Section 3 of theOfficial Secrets Act of 1923.
Pakistan seeks access to 13 Indian officials to ascertain information inthe case, but New Delhi remains uncooperative
His appeals against the conviction have been rejected by the militaryappellate court and his mercy petition is lying with Army Chief Gen QamarBajwa.
About the access to 13 Indian officials, the source said, multiple requestshad been made to India.
A source in New Delhi, meanwhile, disclosed that the officials whomPakistan wanted to access included National Security Adviser Ajit Doval anda former RAW chief for their involvement in recruiting and directingJadhav’s activities. Others that Pakistan wants to access includeintelligence operatives, bankers and passport officials.
The Pakistani source would not disclose the names of the 13 Indianofficials that the government wants to quiz. He, however, said: “We want toreach Jadhav’s handlers.”
Besides, Pakistan has sought information about his Navy service file, bankrecord of his pension payment (if there is one as India had been claimingthat he was a retired officer), and issuance of the passport in the name ofMubarak Hussain Patel.
Pakistani officials want to know how the passport in the name of Patel wasissued and whether it was original or fake. “We have asked if the passportis fake (then) how he exited Mumbai and Delhi airports 18 times,” thesource said.
Particulars of Jadhav’s properties in Mumbai, Pune and other parts ofMaharashtra, which he had acquired with the alias Hussain Mubarak Patel hadalso been demanded, the source said.