Jadhav’s trial by a Pakistani military court failed to satisfy even the minimum standards of due process, says Delhi. On Monday, India based its case on two broad issues--breach of Vienna Convention on consular access and the resolution process

India on Monday said that the trial of its national Kulbhushan Jadhav, 48, by a Pakistani military court did not adhere to even the minimum standards of due process and requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to declare it “unlawful".

The UN court began a four-day public hearing in the case of the former Indian naval officer, Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage.

Pakistan had claimed that it arrested Jadhav from the Baluchistan province in March 2016 after he entered the country from Iran. India, on its part, argued that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran, where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy. Jadhav’s sentencing had evoked sharp reaction in India.

The ICJ hearing comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following a suicide attack that killed at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Kashmir’s Pulwama. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed had claimed responsibility for the terror strike.

On Monday, India based its case on two broad issues--breach of Vienna Convention on consular access and the resolution process, PTI reported.

“It is an unfortunate case where the life of an innocent Indian is at risk," former solicitor general Harish Salve, who was representing India, told the UN court. “Pakistan’s story is solely based on rhetoric and not facts," Salve said, adding that Jadhav’s continued custody without consular access should be declared unlawful.

Jadhav’s trial by a Pakistani military court “hopelessly failed to satisfy even the minimum standards of due process", Salve said. Pakistan had not provided “credible evidence" to show Jadhav’s involvement in any act of terrorism, he argued. Jadhav’s reported confession, televised on Pakistani news channels, was clearly “coerced", Salve contended.

“There is no manner of doubt that Pakistan is using this as a propaganda tool. Pakistan was bound to grant consular access without delay. Pakistan used confession document as propaganda. Pakistan has disrespected the Vienna Convention." Salve also said there was no credible evidence against Jadhav.