Pak may be fabricating trial story; Kulbhushan might be 'dead': Ex-union Home secy

New Delhi : Former Union Home Secretary and Bharatiya Janata Party MP R K Singh on Tuesday said Pakistan might be fabricating the entire story of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav's trial, who actually could be dead and demanded that Islamabad should first show that the former was alive.

He also condemned the death sentence awarded to Jadhav.

"We still doubt whether he even faced a trial or not. I even think that without any military trial, he was awarded a death sentence. It can even be that they tortured him so much that he died and now, they are fabricating a story around it. We will demand that they should show us Kulbhushan Jadhav alive first," Singh opined.

He further added that the Pakistani Security Agency did not have any proof against Jadhav, so awarding him death sentence was incorrect.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj issued a stern warning to Pakistan slamming the Pakistan military court and saying that Islamabad should be wary of taking such an extreme step as it could result in damaging the bilateral relations between the already hostile neighbours.

"It is an indefensible verdict against an innocent Indian citizen. We have no option but to deem the sentence a premeditated murder. Our position is very clear, there is no evidence of wrongdoing by Kulbhushan Jadhav. I would caution Pakistan government to consider the consequences for our bilateral relationship if they proceed on this matter," said Swaraj in Rajya Sabha.

"Yesterday, Foreign Secretary conveyed our position to the High Commissioner of Pakistan. Let me state clearly that the Government and people of India would



view very seriously the possibility that an innocent Indian citizen is facing death sentence in Pakistan without due process and in violation of basic norms of law, justice and international relations," she added.

Swaraj further said, "I would also like to tell the House that I have been in touch with the parents of Jadhav and we are extending our fullest support to them in this difficult situation. A strong sense of solidarity expressed by the House will give them more courage at this time".

Both Houses of the Parliament were stalled over the sentencing of Jadhav.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had assured Lok Sabha MPs that the Centre will do everything possible to save Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Speaking in Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh said, ''The government of India strongly condemns Pakistan's move to send Kulbhushan Jadhav to gallows on false charges of being a spy.''

Jadhav was arrested in March last year, "for his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan," according to a statement released by the Pakistan armed forces.

The statement said Jadhav confessed that he was tasked by Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), to "plan, coordinate and organise espionage/sabotage activities aiming to destabilise and wage war against Pakistan."

A military court found Jadhav guilty on two counts of espionage and sentenced him to death.

India has strongly objected to the sentencing, saying consular officials were denied access to Jadhav during his trial.

The Ministry of External Affairs later summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and issued a demarche to Pakistan.