India has renominated its serving candidate at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal legal organ of the United Nations.
Justice Dalveer Bhandari, 69, who received the re-nomination, will serve for a term of nine years as the Indian judge at the ICJ, which is the platform of the ongoing Kulbhushan Jadhav case.
Justice Bhandari, who previously served in the Supreme Court of India, was elected in April 2012 to his current seat. India filed for his renomination on Monday with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The election to the ICJ will be held at the next UN session, following which the next term will ensue.
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During his term at the ICJ, Justice Bhandari has been engaged in cases ranging from maritime disputes, genocide, nuclear disarmament, terrorism and violation of sovereign rights.
To benefit privileges
The Court consists of 15 judges who are elected to nine-year terms by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. As a judge of the ICJ, Justice Bhandari will enjoy privileges and immunities equal to the head of a diplomatic mission. Each member of the Court receives an annual salary and supplementary allowance. After leaving the court, members receive annual pensions.
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Founded in 1945, the ICJ settles disputes between sovereign states and gives advisory opinions on legal questions that have been referred to it by other authorised UN organs.
The ICJ is open to all UN member states.
India moved the ICJ against the death penalty awarded by a Pakistan military tribunal to former Indian Navy official Kulbhushan Jadhav on charges of espionage and subversive activities.
The Court, however, advised a stay on the execution of Mr. Jadhav and asked Pakistan to ensure that he is not executed before a final decision is taken by it regarding the case.