Harish Salve Wins Accolades For Spirited Defense Of Kulbhushan Jadhav

Harish Salve, the Chartered Accountant cum Advocate, has brought pride to both professions. He has shown his competence by expertly arguing before the ICJ against the death sentence awarded to Kulbhushan Jadhav and proved his nobility by not charging any fees for that service

Harish Salve launches spirited defense

Harish Salve has been an inspiring figure for all professionals. However, few have had the opportunity to see how he performs in Court.

Fortunately, young professionals wanting to know how legendary lawyers argue matters in Court can listen to the arguments of Harish Salve before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and imbibe the qualities there from.

Salve made ten cogent points before the ICJ. He spoke in a slow and measured manner, ensuring that the learned judges are able to grasp each point before moving on to the next.

His arguments have ben nicely summed up by news18.com:

(i) The proceedings are farcical and an unjust trial by a Pakistani military court in egregious violation of the rights of consular access has led to serious miscarriage of justice;

(ii) An innocent Indian national has been incarcerated in Pakistan for more than a year on concocted charges. He is deprived of his rights and protection accorded under the Vienna Convention. He has been held incommunicado… and faces imminent execution;

(iii) Pakistan has repeatedly denied consular access to India and no document of Jadhav’s trial process was given by Islamabad;

(iv) All requests for consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav have fallen on deaf ears;

(v) Human rights which are treated as basics in other civilized countries have been thrown to the wind by Pakistan;

(vi) Jadhav was framed on confessional statements extracted from him when he was in Pakistan’s military custody;

(vii) Jadhav has been denied his right to seek legal counsel. There is an immediate threat to him to be executed even before a judicial decision is passed;

(viii) Pakistan has not provided the charge sheet, evidence or materials presented against Jadhav in the case despite repeated requests by consular officers;

(ix) Jadhav has neither consular access nor legal representation even at this stage. It’s not known if Jadhav will seek clemency in Pakistan court. Pakistan will be guilty of war crimes if ex-Navy officer is hanged;

(x) Visa application filed by Kulbhushan Jadhav’s parents is still pending with the Pakistani authorities.

Citizen’s appreciate Harish Salve’s efforts

Harish Salve’s masterly arguments before the ICJ drew praise from citizens of all walks of life.

At the ICJ, HARISH SALVE's presentation was masterly. Reminded one of what legal brilliance is all about. Succinct, measured and brilliant.

— SUHEL SETH (@suhelseth) May 15, 2017

My salute to Harish Salve . You are our one man demolition squad of lies .

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) May 9, 2017

Must say, Harish Salve did an excellent job at the ICJ. #KulbhushanYadav case represented very well.

— Priti Gandhi (@MrsGandhi) May 15, 2017

Dr. Vikram Singh: Harish Salve's arguments were beautiful, cogent and convincing #FightForKulbhushan

— Republic (@republic) May 15, 2017

Congratulations #HarishSalve 4 preempting all arguments & cementing them with every Int case,also Quoted Pres Judge Abrahams judgements ?

— Madhulika kak (@madskak) May 15, 2017

Pakistan claims “confession” by Kulbhushan Jadhav led to his conviction

Pakistan put up the preposterous defence before the ICJ that Kulbhushan Jadhav’s guilt was proved because he “confessed” to the alleged crime.

Even a rookie lawyer who is still wet behind the ears knows that a so-called “confession” extracted from an accused in custody and under duress is never admissible as evidence.

Such “confessions” can never be termed “voluntary” and used as a basis to convict a person to any offence, leave alone a death sentence.

Pak says Kulbhushan Yadav confessed being a RAW spy. Give me a Paki for 2 hrs & he will confess he is a hologram from a Russian satellite.

— Major Gaurav Arya (@majorgauravarya) April 10, 2017

Naturally, the ICJ rubbished the claim of Pakistan and refused to take the so-called confessional video on record.

Pakistan complains of “ambush” by India

The Pakistani defence was clearly in disarray. They pleaded for an adjournment and complained that they had been “ambushed” by India.

This is a frivolous contention and appears to be a last-ditch attempt to salvage the situation.

Harish Salve and Arnab Goswami rightly ridiculed the contention.

Harish Salve gives a very interesting answer when Arnab asks him about Pakistan's 'paucity of time' complaint #FightForKulbhushan pic.twitter.com/CC7v5DaX6y

— Republic (@republic) May 15, 2017

Harish Salve charges fee of Rs. 1

Harish Salve’s noble act of charging a token fee of only Rs. 1 for defending Kulbhushan Jadhav endeared him to all citizens.

This is especially important because he is under no compulsion to work for free. The Government would have unhesitatingly paid him his full fee for the matter.

Not fair. #HarishSalve has charged us Rs.1/- as his fee for this case. https://t.co/Eyl3vQScrs

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 15, 2017

Harish Salve Charged Rs 1 To Fight #KulbhushanJadhav's Case Against Pakistan In UN's International Court Of Justice

India Salutes You Sir ? pic.twitter.com/ovu21RRcdF

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) May 16, 2017

Lets take a moment to thank #HarishSalve who takes 18 lacs/ hearing. But fighting for #KulbhushanJadhav with only 1₹ as his fees. ?????????? pic.twitter.com/xsRWBeFK4J

— Arnab Goswami ?? (@Arnab_Goswami1) May 16, 2017

@SushmaSwaraj My respect to #HarishSalve for putting his all effort to save son of nation #KulbhushanJadhav #FightForKulbhushan

— मिथिलेश पांडे?? (@mithileshpandey) May 15, 2017

@SushmaSwaraj Is that so? I have developed immense respect for #harishsalve now.

— Sudhanshu S. Singh (@sssingh21) May 15, 2017

@bholasharma1955 @SushmaSwaraj Ma'am, Harish Salve has earned respect & love of billions.

— Lt Gen K J Singh (@kayjay34350) May 16, 2017

Comparison with Ram Jethmalani’s fee of Rs. 4 crore for defending Arvind Kejriwal

Some citizens drew an unfortunate comparison between Harish Salve’s act of waiving his fee and that of Ram Jethmalani charging Rs. 4 crore for defending Arvind Kejriwal in the defamation suit filed against him by Arun Jaitley.

. @ArvindKejriwal paid Rs 4 Crore Delhi Public money to Mr Ram jethmalanai in his personal legal case (Sh Jaitly Defmiantion case) pic.twitter.com/aR2wNwpN8N

— Tajinder Pal S Bagga (@TajinderBagga) April 3, 2017

@SushmaSwaraj Very nice. One end in India lawyer charging INR. 2 Cr & another end in ICJ our lawyer charging INR. 1. Big salute Salve Sir.

— India in Soul (@sanjoy_goodwill) May 15, 2017

At 94 @RamJethmalani5 salivates for Money as was seen by his bill to Delhi Govt on a private case. Whereas Harish Salve charged Fee of Rs.1? pic.twitter.com/2W8fOIbsIm

— मुरली Swaminathan (@mswami) May 16, 2017

*Difference*
True Indian charged fee of Re 1 for #KulbushanJadhav while Ram Jethmalani charged crores for a dolt

— Hodar (@dhavalhodar) May 16, 2017

The unfortunate aspect is both luminaries, Arvind Kejriwal and Ram Jethmalani, adopted a belligerent stance when questioned as to why the “Aam Aadmi” of Delhi was being made to foot the mind-boggling fee.

Arvind Kejriwal claimed that he is a “poor” man and cannot afford to pay legal fees and that the public has to foot the bill.

.@arunjaitley @narendramodi Dear @narendramodi Sir, @ArvindKejriwal & @AamAadmiParty are pennyless. Your FM is a rich man, he can afford expensive advocates. We can't

— Ashish Khetan (@AashishKhetan) April 4, 2017

@AashishKhetan @arunjaitley @narendramodi @ArvindKejriwal @AamAadmiParty Apni haisiyat ke hisab se vakil kyu nahi kiya?

— Acharya Gaurav (@acharyagaurav9) April 4, 2017

@acharyagaurav9 @AashishKhetan @arunjaitley @narendramodi @ArvindKejriwal @AamAadmiParty Har bhikhari nawabi shauk paalta hai.

— Shagnick Misra ? (@shagnick_misra) April 4, 2017

(Image credit: Faking News)

Ram Jethmalani initially claimed that his fees are reasonable and that he had given a “discount” to Arvind Kejriwal. Later, he claimed that the opposition against his fees was orchestrated by the political parties.

Fortunately, after the Indian Express and other press reports raised a hue and cry and pointed out that the fee payable to Ram Jethmalani would meet the expenses on paying salaries and pensions to hundreds of school teachers, better sense prevailed and Ram Jethmalani agreed to consider Arvind Kejriwal a “poor client” and argue the defamation matter for free.

Citizens heave a sigh of relief

Both living legends of the law have caused the citizens of the Country to heave a sigh of relief, although in different ways!

CA Vellalapatti Swaminathan Iyer, Hyderabad