External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj said that, the former Indian Naval Officer, Kulbhushan Yadav, is a victim of Pakistan’s attempts to divert attention from the country, sponsoring terrorism.

The Pakistani Military Court, has given a death sentence to the Naval officer, on charges of spying.

Swaraj in both the Houses of the Parliament said, there is no proof of wrong doing by the Naval officer. He is only a victim of a plan, that seeks to propel defamation on India, and to deflect international attention from Pakistan, which has a well-known record of sponsoring and supporting terrorism.

“Under these circumstances, we have no choice but to regard the sentence, if carried out, as an act of pre-meditated murder.” Kulbhushan Jadav had been convicted by Pakistan on “concocted charges,” said Sushma.

The Government and the people of India, would view very seriously, that  without due process and in violation of basic norms of law, justice and international relations, an innocent Indian Citizen is facing a death sentence in Pakistan, Sushma warned.

Swaraj said categorically in a hard-worded statement, “I would caution the Pakistan government to consider the consequences for our bilateral relationship if they proceed on this matter.”

She said the process adopted by the Pakistani military court, to declare the death sentence, tells us about the ridiculous nature of the alleged proceedings, which have led to an unjustifiable judgment, against an innocent kidnapped Indian.

Swaraj, in reply to a suggestion by the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, said, the Government will ensure that it will take up the case with the President of Pakistan and provide Jadhav, the best lawyers in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

“Whatever is necessary, we will do,” she said, adding that Jadhav was “not only the son of his parents, but is the son of India.”

Swaraj stated that Jadhav was running his business in Iran, and from there he was kidnapped and taken to Pakistan. “The exact circumstances are unclear and can only be ascertained if we have consular access to him.” However, the Pakistani authorities, denied any access to him.

It is remarkable that, yesterday a decision of a death sentence is announced in this case, where previous exchanges with India itself underlines the insufficiency of evidence.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, earlier in the Lok Sabha, said the government will do everything possible to bring justice for Jadhav.

Singh, while condemning the action, said that Pakistan had ignored all norms of law and justice.

“The government strongly condemns it. All norms of law and justice were ignored. I want to assure the House that the government will do everything possible to get justice for Jadhav. He will get justice,” he said.

Pakistan Sentences Death To Former Indian Naval Officer Kulbhushan Jadhav

By Supraja