India gets stay from ICJ on Jadhav execution

In a major development, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has put a stay on the death sentence given by Pakistan to Kulbhushan Jadhav.

The development came after an appeal from India, which accused Pakistan of "egregious violations of the Vienna Convention" and sought a stay on Jadhav's death sentence.

Pakistan had claimed that Jadhav was arrested from the Baluchistan province last year.

A military court sentenced him to death, alleging he was involved in espionage and anti-national activities.

This led to an outrage in India and other countries which criticised Pakistan for sentencing Jadhav to death with formally informing India.

India outrightly denied the claims saying he was kidnapped from Iran where he was running a business, adding he was a retired Navy officer.

Pakistan has turned down 16 requests from India for consular access to Jadhav.

A letter has been sent to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in this regard by the ICJ.