23 Facts About Kulbhushan Jadhav

On 10 April 2017, Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Field General Court Martial in Pakistan.

Kulbhushan Jadhav was born to a Marathi family in Sangli, Maharashtra, on 16 April 1970 to Sudhir and Avanti Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Kulbhushan Jadhav was arrested during a counterintelligence raid conducted by security forces.

Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti said that Kulbhushan Jadhav was obviously working for RAW and was in contact with Baloch separatists and militants, fueling sectarian violence in the province and the country.

Kulbhushan Jadhav further added that he was involved in financially supporting militants and that Jadhav has admitted his involvements in Karachi's unrest.

Kulbhushan Jadhav said that the masterminds of the Safoora bus attack, where gunmen shot dead 45 Ismaili passengers, were in contact with Haji Baloch.

Kulbhushan Jadhav stated that Jadhav established a network of operatives, provided funds, arranged to smuggle people into the country for the purpose of terrorism and reportedly purchased boats at the Iranian port in Chabahar to target Karachi and Gwadar ports in an alleged terrorist plot.

Kulbhushan Jadhav termed the arrest of an intelligence or an armed forces officer of his rank a big achievement.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs claimed that Kulbhushan Jadhav was an Indian Navy officer but had retired prematurely and he had no current link with the government since his retirement.

Pakistan's diplomat to India said that consular access wasn't automatic during cases related to security, explaining Kulbhushan Jadhav had been travelling "under a fake name with an original Indian passport" since 2003.

Kulbhushan Jadhav said that he was a serving officer of the Indian Navy and was working in Pakistan at the behest of the RAW.

Kulbhushan Jadhav said that the RAW had been funding the Baloch separatists for the Balochistan insurgency.

Kulbhushan Jadhav said that once Iran completes the investigation, it will share the reports with "friendly countries".

On 10 April 2017, Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Field General Court Martial in Pakistan, following a confession before the magistrate and court.

Kulbhushan Jadhav's trial lasted three and a half months and the charges he was convicted for included spying for India, waging war against Pakistan, sponsoring terrorism, and destabilising the state.

Kulbhushan Jadhav was tried in a military court due to his naval background and the sensitive nature of his case, involving espionage and sabotage.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated that under the provisions of the Pakistan Army Act of 1952, Kulbhushan Jadhav had the right to appeal against his conviction on three appellate forums within 40 days.

Kulbhushan Jadhav said that Jadhav was given a fair trial, including the right to seek clemency.

Sushma Swaraj, India's Minister of External Affairs said there was no evidence of any wrongdoing by Kulbhushan Jadhav and termed his sentencing an act of "premeditated murder".

Kulbhushan Jadhav rejected India's accusations of terming the trial a "premeditated murder".

On 22 June 2017, Pakistani sources confirmed that Kulbhushan Jadhav had sought clemency from the country's army chief following his conviction.

Kulbhushan Jadhav admitted to supporting and funding, on behalf of India's RAW, Baloch militants affiliated with the BLA and BRA, in addition to infiltrating and establishing "30 to 40 RAW operatives along the Makran Coast" for involvement in terrorist activities.

India subsequently denounced Pakistan for its handling of the visit of the wife and mother of Kulbhushan Jadhav, saying they were harassed and prevented from talking to Kulbhushan Jadhav freely.