Since the time Kulbhushan was arrested by Pakistan in 2016, India has been categorically stating that he was a retired Navy officer who had no links with the Indian government. Despite India’s repeated assertions, Pakistan had framed charges against Jadhav for his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities.
However, it was in December 2016, that Foreign Advisor to Pakistani’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Sartaj Aziz had admitted that there was a dearth of evidence into Jadhav’s role in any act of espionage.
Addressing a full Senate chamber, Aziz had said that the dossier on Jadhav that Pakistan submitted contained mere statements. “It did not have any conclusive evidence,” he was quoted as saying by the Geo TV. “What the dossier contained was not enough. Now it is up to the concerned authorities how long they take to give us more matter on the agent,” Aziz had said.
Later, a Foreign Office spokesperson issued a statement, saying the remarks attributed to Aziz was “absolutely
incorrect.” “The Adviser had said that the investigations regarding the network of Kulbhushan Jadhav are ongoing and the dossier shall be completed upon conclusion of the investigation,” the statement said.
“There is irrefutable proof against Kulbhushan Jadhav, who had also made a public confession in March,” it said.
Jadhav, was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning “subversive activities” in the country. Pakistan Army had also released a “confessional video” of Jadhav, who said he was the serving Indian Navy officer. India has acknowledged Jadhav as a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government.
