Pakistan toughens stance on Jadhav

STANDOFF Sharif, army chief vow not to bow to pressure The charges against Jadhav were such he could not be tried in a civil court… For anyone involved in espionage, the case is tried in military court... and he was also provided defence counsel

Pakistan’s top officials toughened on Wednesday their stand on the death sentence for an Indian national accused of espionage, saying his trial was fair and that Islamabad wouldn’t bow to pressure from New Delhi.

Abdul Basit, Islamabad’s top envoy to New Delhi, said Kulbhushan Jadhav, a retired Indian naval officer, was tried in a military court because he was not a civilian, a treatment that was given also to Pakistani citizens accused of similar crimes.

Basit’s explanation was in response to India’s questioning of the fairness of Jadhav’s courtmartial in utter secrecy – a trial that external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj called “farcical”. India denies the charges against 46-year-old Jadhav, who was sentenced for “espionage and sabotage activities” on Monday.

“The charges against Jadhav were such that he could not be tried in a civil court… and he was also provided defence counsel,” Basit said in an interview with India Today TV, adding Jadhav had been visiting Pakistan since 2003 using an original Indian passport but a fake name.

The envoy said 270 people, including Pakistanis, were tried in these courts that deal with terrorism-related cases.

Pakistan’s former president Pervez Musharraf echoed Basit.

“For anyone involved in espionage and sabotage, the case is tried in military court, a lawyer is assigned to defend the accused and the procedure is the same for Pakistanis as well as foreigners,” he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s ARY TV.

Meanwhile, Indian officials said the government was working on possible legal steps to save Jadhav. It was also considering more measures to put diplomatic pressure on Pakistan, and seek consular access to the condemned man.

CONTINUED ON P 6

Delhi University’s undergraduate admission process is likely to start in the third week of April, a month sooner than it is usually held, to stop lastminute rush at top colleges.

Online registration forms may become available between April 20 and 25, although the application process will continue till June like always.

“One of the dates suggested is April 20 but it could be anytime between April 20 and 25,” sources from the admission committee said.

“Board results are announced May-end but students can start filling application forms in advance. It will give them time to upload all documents and once the results are announced, they can just fill in their marks,” a member of the admission committee said.

DU admissions are largely on the basis of Class 12 scores, though some courses require a test or an interview.

The university had earlier planned to open registrations by March-end.

Sources also said that there will be no new entrance tests.