Immediate threat to Kulbhushan Jadhav's life, it's urgent to suspend death sentence : India at world court

"The situation is grave, it is urgent, and hence we approached this court at such short notice," senior lawyer Harish Salve, representing India, told the UN court as an an open hearing of the case was underway at the Great Hall of Justice at the Hague in Netherlands following India's challenge to Jhadhav's death penalty.

Jadhav, a former navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court last month after being convicted of spying.

Describing it as "farcical," India said   Pakistan must ensure he is not executed until a court decision.

Salve said Pakistan had  repeatedly denied consular access to India, which violates  the provisions of Vienna Congress and no document of  Jadhav's trial process was given by Islamabad.

"The basic rights of Jadhav were thrown to the winds," he said.

Last week, after India challenged the death sentence, Pakistan was asked by the International Court to put it on hold.

The last time the two countries fought at the world court was when Pakistan's maritime reconnaissance aircraft Atlantique was shot down by the Indian Air Force in the Kutch region in August, 1999; all 16 naval personnel on board were killed.

In 2000 the court dismissed  Pakistan's claim, saying it had no jurisdiction in the case.