ICJ’s Kulbhushan Jadhav verdict: PM Narendra Modi lauds lawyer Harish Salve for his UN court presentation

Source – indiatoday.intoday.in

After India scored a victory over Pakistan in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called up External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj where he lauded veteran lawyer Harish Salve’s effort in the International Court of Justice.

Salve, was also part of the team that successfully argued at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against a bid by Marshall Islands to sue India for violating the nuclear disarmament obligations, has won praise from all quarters for his strong arguments in the court.

PM Modi also expressed satisfaction at today’s order where ICJ asked Pakistan not to execute alleged spy Kulbushan Jadhav pending its final decision and inform it of the steps being taken to implement the order.

Swaraj was also all praise for Salve. She tweeted saying, “We are grateful to Mr.Harish Salve for presenting India’s case so effectively before ICJ.”

She also complimented her team of officers in the ministry of external affairs for their tireless efforts and hard work.

HOW HARISH SALVE TILTED THE DECISION IN INDIA’S FAVOUR

Many believe that Harish Salve, with his rich experience and thorough knowledge of international legal cases, was responsible for today’s provisional order in the ICJ which went in India’s favour.

It was upon his insistence in the court that the judges didn’t allow Pakistan to screen Jadhav’s so-called confessional video.

Presenting its arguments against Pakistan for violating the Vienna Convention and denying consular access to Jadhav, the senior lawyer Harish Salve had cited the examples of ICJ rulings in cases pertaining to Mexico, Nicaragua and Germany.

WHO IS HARISH SALVE?

Salve, one of the most expensive lawyers in the country who is known to charge as high as anywhere between Rs 6 lakh to Rs 15 lakh per appearance in the Supreme Court or the Delhi High Court, charged only Re one for this case which was in the national interest.

Also a former solicitor general of India, some of his most high-profile clients include Salman Khan, Mukesh Ambani, Lalit Modi, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati, Amarinder Singh, Parkash Singh Badal, Keshub Mahindra and Vodafone India.

His convincing arguments, which were also at display during the International Court of Justice hearing on Monday, make him arguably the best legal eagles in the country. In the past, Salve has worked with former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee.

Salve, a former solicitor general of India, who has made his base in London, is a chartered accountant and a commerce and law graduate. He started his career as a chartered accountant but later on moved to the legal profession with his initial professional experience under Nani Palkhivala and Soli Sorabjee, two great legal minds of India.

Salve became a senior lawyer of the Supreme Court in 1992 and the solicitor general of India in 1999.