There seems to be no immediate danger to Kulbhushan Jadhav's life, at least till the end of this year. Even at the fastest pace that the case could proceed at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Hague, a hearing is not likely to happen this year.
Ronny Abraham, president of ICJ, met the representatives of India and Pakistan on June 8 to discuss the timeline. India made a submission for an early and expeditious disposal of the matter, citing past precedents. Based on this meeting, India has been asked to file its memorial by September 13. A memorial is a submission that a party makes to the ICJ in relation to a case. Pakistan has been asked to file its response to India's memorial by December 13.
Only after the ICJ receives both memorials will it decide whether the parties have to submit additional documentation and fix the date of the hearing.
India had appealed to ICJ against the death sentence that a military court in Pakistan awarded Jadhav, a former naval commander. Pakistan accused Jadhav of espionage and carrying out anti-Pakistan activities. India had, in May, sought a temporary stay on the hanging till the merits of the case were decided. India won that round, thanks to the powerful argument put forth by Harish Salve.
India's 16 requests for consular access to Jadhav were stonewalled. Islamabad did not revert on the requests made by Jadhav's parents for a meeting with their son.
