Shoes worn by Jadhav's wife were 'suspicious': Foreign Office

Rejects Indian claim that spy’s family was harassed during the meeting

Rejecting India’s claim that Kulbhushan Jadhav’s family was harassed during their meeting with the spy, the Foreign Office said Jadhav's wife was asked to take off her shoes as they appeared suspicious.

“The Indian baseless allegations and twists that come 24 hours later, about the visit of the wife and mother of Commander Jadhav are categorically rejected,” it said in a statement on Tuesday night.

Jadhav met his mother and wife in Islamabad on Monday, their first meeting since his arrest from Balochistan last year on charges of espionage and terrorism.

Meeting between Commander Kulbushan Jhadev & his family in progress pic.twitter.com/THG925V1fO

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) December 25, 2017

New Delhi said Pakistan disrespected the cultural and religious sensibilities of Jadhav’s family, alleging they were asked to change their clothes, and that his wife was ordered to remove her “mangal sutra” — a necklace worn by married Hindu women.

Foreign Office, according to Express News, said soles of the wife's shoes were unusually thick. Therefore, she was provided with other footwear. “Her jewellery and other items were returned to her, however, the shoes have been sent to a laboratory for examination.”



An Indian diplomat was present during the meeting, which lasted 40 minutes, but was not allowed to talk to the prisoner or listen to the conversation with his family.

The Foreign Office said it did not wish to indulge in a meaningless battle of words with India. “Our openness and transparency belies these allegations,” it said. “If Indian concerns were serious, the guests or the Indian DHC should have raised them during the visit, with the media, which was readily available, but at a safe distance, as requested by India.”

The statement said Jadhav’s mother publicly thanked Pakistan for the humanitarian gesture and “nothing more needs to be said”.

Jadhav had confessed to spying for Indian intelligence, with Islamabad describing him as “the face of Indian terrorism” in the country.

He was found guilty and sentenced to death on charges of espionage and terrorism.

India took the case to the International Court of Justice which suspended his execution until it passes final judgement in the case.