India made ‘serious mistake’ taking Jhadav’s case to ICJ, says former Indian judge

NEW DELHI: A former judge of Indian Supreme Court has said that India has made a ‘serious mistake’ by taking the case of naval officer and convicted spy Kulbuhsan Jadhav to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Markandey Katju, in a social media post expressed concern, and said the move has given Pakistan an opportunity to approach ICJ over the Kashmir dispute.

“Pakistan must be very happy that we went to the ICJ over a single individual’s fate, as now they can raise all kinds of issues, particularly Kashmir, in international fora, to which we had always objected till now,” he wrote.

“By going to the ICJ we may have opened up a Pandora’s box.”

Katju also said Pakistan’s minimal objection towards ICJ’s jurisdiction is because India has given it a chance to open up several other issues in front of the international court.

“…we have played into Pakistan’s hands, and given it a handle to open up many other issues. In fact that is why it seems that Pakistan did not seriously object to the jurisdiction of ICJ,” he said.

He further said India can no longer object to ICJ’s jurisdiction, in case Pakistan approaches the international court over Kashmir.

“Now it is certain that Pakistan will approach the ICJ for deciding the Kashmir dispute, and it will then hardly lie in our mouth to object to the jurisdiction of ICJ, since we cannot blow hot and cold together,” he said.

Earlier this week, ICJ announced its judgment in Jadhav’s case ordering a temporary stay on the execution till a final conclusion.