HAGUE, APR 17 (DNA) – India will submit its reply to the International Court of Justice in spy commander Kulbhushan Jadhav’s conviction case, today (Tuesday).

Earlier on January 23rd, the ICJ had directed India to submit its reply in the case that has become a bone of contention between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

On September 13 last year, India had submitted its pleadings to the ICJ, however, Pakistan rejected the Indian stance in its counter-memorial, which were submitted on December 13th.

Pakistani officials in their arguments had told ICJ that Jadhav was not an ordinary person as he had entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out subversive activities.

The officials stated that Jadhav, who was a serving officer of the Indian Navy, did not fall under the purview of the Vienna Convention.

Jadhav was arrested on March 3, 2016, through a counter-intelligence operation in Balochistan’s Mashkel area for his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan. He was sentenced to death for espionage and subversive activities by the FGCM in April last year.

It is worth mentioning that On May 18, the ICJ had ordered Pakistan to halt the execution of Jadhav until a final decision was made in the proceedings.