Background

Kulbhushan Jadhav was arrested on March 3, 2016, through a counterintelligence operation in Balochistan’s Mashkel area for spying. He was allegedly staying in Pakistan with a fake name of Hussain Mubarak Patel and operating in Balochistan while running a shop in the Iranian port city of Chahbahar to cover up his activities. The Indian government has recognised Jadhav as a former naval officer, but denied that he had been working for RAW.

Jadhav has 40 days to file an appeal against the verdict in the army’s court of appeal, according to retired Col Inamur Rahim, a military law expert, where he can seek mercy from the army chief and president of Pakistan.

Jadhav was provided a lawyer to defend himself before being awarded death sentence and he can also appeal for mercy, said former army chief General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, adding “He can appeal and the case can be taken to the Supreme Court of Pakistan and finally a mercy petition too can be sent to president.”

Many Pakistani politicians welcomed the decision saying it is in accordance with Pakistan’s law and sends a strong message to India.