Kulbhushan Jadhav Case: Alive in Pakistan Jail? Wife, Daughter & 2026 Updates

Kulbhushan Jadhav, often referred to as Kulbhushan Yadav in some reports, is a figure whose life story intertwines personal resilience, national service, and international diplomacy. This detailed wiki-style page on Kulbhushan Jadhav explores his journey from humble beginnings in India to becoming a central figure in a high-profile geopolitical case. Kulbhushan Jadhav’s narrative highlights themes of patriotism, endurance, and the complexities of cross-border relations.

As we delve into Kulbhushan Jadhav’s life, we uncover inspiring elements of determination amid adversity, making his story a motivational tale for many. Kulbhushan Jadhav remains a symbol of unwavering spirit, with his case drawing global attention. Whether searching for “is Kulbhushan Jadhav still alive,” “where is Kulbhushan Jadhav now,” or “Kulbhushan Jadhav latest news,” this page provides factual insights grounded in reliable sources.

 QUICK FACTS SUMMARY

Category	Details
Full Name	Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav
Also Known As	Kulbhushan Yadav (alternate spelling); alleged alias Hussain Mubarak Patel
Date of Birth	16 April 1970
Age (as of 2026)	55 Years
Birth Place	Sangli, Maharashtra, India
Nationality	Indian
Religion	Hindu
Ethnicity / Community	Marathi
Zodiac Sign	Aries
Profession	Former Indian Navy Commander; Business (post-retirement)
Current Status	Incarcerated in Pakistan since 2016; Death sentence (execution stayed by ICJ)
Marital Status	Married
Children	Two
Family Residence	Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Father	Sudhir Jadhav (Retired Mumbai Police Officer)
Mother	Avanti Jadhav
Education	National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Naval Academy
Commissioned	1991 – Engineering Branch, Indian Navy
NDA Entry	1987
Case Nickname	Kulbhushan Jadhav Case / ICJ India–Pakistan Case
Is Kulbhushan Jadhav Still Alive?	YES – As of 2026, he is alive in Pakistani custody

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Field	Information
Full Name	Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav
Nickname / Alias	Kulbhushan Yadav (alternate spelling); Hussain Mubarak Patel (alleged alias used in Iran per Pakistan claims)
Date of Birth	16 April 1970
Place of Birth	Sangli, Maharashtra, India
Current Age	55 years (as of 2026)
Zodiac Sign	Aries
Nationality	Indian
Religion	Hindu
Caste / Community	Marathi (Maharashtra)
Languages Known	Marathi, Hindi, English
Hometown	Sangli / Powai (Mumbai), Maharashtra
Current Location	Pakistan – Exact prison location undisclosed by Pakistani authorities
Is Kulbhushan Jadhav Released?	No – He has NOT been released as of February 2026
Is Kulbhushan Jadhav Alive?	YES – He is confirmed alive in Pakistani custody

FAMILY & PERSONAL LIFE

 

Relation	Name / Details
Father	Sudhir Jadhav – Retired Officer, Mumbai Police
Mother	Avanti Jadhav
Wife	Name not publicly disclosed (referred to as ‘Kulbhushan Jadhav’s wife’)
Children	Two (names not publicly disclosed for safety/privacy)
Hometown	Sangli, Maharashtra
Family Residence	Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Marital Status	Married

Family Background

Kulbhushan Jadhav was born into a Marathi family in Sangli, Maharashtra. His father, Sudhir Jadhav, served with the Mumbai Police and retired as an officer, instilling in Kulbhushan a strong sense of discipline and national duty from an early age. The family was rooted in values of service and integrity.

Kulbhushan Jadhav married, and the couple has two children together. For security and privacy reasons, the names of his wife and children have not been disclosed publicly. The family lives in Powai, Mumbai. His wife and mother visited him on 25 December 2017 in Islamabad, Pakistan, following permission granted by Pakistani authorities — a visit that India later criticized as having been conducted under restrictive and undignified conditions.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Year	Institution	Achievement / Qualification
Up to 1987	School – Sangli / Mumbai area	Completed secondary education
1987	National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune	Joined NDA – one of India’s most prestigious military training academies
1987–1991	National Defence Academy & Indian Naval Academy	Military and Naval Officer Training – Engineering Branch
1991	Commissioned as Officer	Commissioned into the Engineering Branch of the Indian Navy

Academic Journey

Kulbhushan Jadhav’s educational path was marked by excellence and dedication. The National Defence Academy (NDA), situated at Khadakwasla near Pune, is one of the most competitive and prestigious military training institutions in the world. Admission to NDA requires clearing a highly competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), followed by rigorous physical and medical tests.

Jadhav’s selection into the NDA in 1987 is itself a testament to his academic and physical aptitude. After completing his training at NDA and subsequently at the Indian Naval Academy, he was commissioned in 1991 into the Engineering Branch of the Indian Navy — a technically demanding domain requiring deep knowledge of naval engineering systems.

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Attribute	Details
Height	Approximately 5 ft 9 in (estimated)
Build	Athletic / Military build
Eye Color	Dark Brown
Hair Color	Black (greying with age)
Distinguishing Features	Military bearing; appearing in Pakistani videos with visible signs of stress under captivity

CAREER TIMELINE

Year	Event / Milestone
1987	Joined National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune
1991	Commissioned as Officer – Engineering Branch, Indian Navy
1991–c.2013	Served in Indian Navy – various postings across naval establishments
c.2013–2014	Took premature retirement from Indian Navy (as per Indian government)
2014–2016	Based in Chabahar, Iran – running a legitimate shipping/transport business (as per India)
3 March 2016	Arrested – Pakistan claims arrested in Balochistan; India says kidnapped from Iran
25 March 2016	India notified of arrest; India immediately sought consular access (denied by Pakistan)
December 2016	Video ‘confession’ released by Pakistan alleging RAW espionage links
10 April 2017	Sentenced to death by Pakistani Field General Court Martial on espionage and terrorism charges
8 May 2017	India filed case at International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Pakistan
18 May 2017	ICJ granted stay of execution – Kulbhushan Jadhav’s life saved from immediate execution
15–17 February 2019	ICJ public hearings – India and Pakistan presented arguments
17 July 2019	ICJ verdict: Pakistan must review conviction; provide consular access; India’s appeal for acquittal/release rejected
25 December 2017	Kulbhushan Jadhav’s wife and mother met him in Islamabad (1 visit allowed)
2020	Pakistan enacted ordinance giving Jadhav right to appeal in Pakistani courts
2021	Pakistan’s Parliament passed bill making the ordinance permanent
2020–2025	Islamabad High Court proceedings ongoing; India declined to appoint Pakistani lawyer
April 2025	Pakistan’s Defence Ministry stated at Supreme Court that Jadhav was NOT given right to appeal despite ICJ order
2026 (Current)	Kulbhushan Jadhav remains in Pakistani custody; exact location undisclosed; case unresolved

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS & RECOGNITION

Achievement	Year	Description
Selection into NDA	1987	Selected to India’s premier military training academy — one of the most competitive processes in India
Navy Commission	1991	Commissioned as officer into Engineering Branch, Indian Navy
ICJ Stay of Execution	2017	India’s legal efforts at ICJ secured a stay on his execution — keeping him alive
ICJ Landmark Verdict	2019	Subject of a landmark ICJ judgment that affirmed Vienna Convention rights in spy cases
Symbol of Injustice	Ongoing	His case became a rallying point for human rights advocates and legal experts worldwide on fair trial standards

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS (2024–2026)

The Kulbhushan Jadhav case entered a new phase of legal complexity in late 2023 and through 2025. When Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled in October 2023 that military trials of civilians were unconstitutional in relation to the May 9, 2023 unrest, questions arose about whether this judgment could benefit Jadhav. Pakistan’s Foreign Office, however, clarified that this ruling likely did not apply to Jadhav’s case as it pertained to an alleged foreign spy.

In April 2025, a significant development emerged when Pakistan’s Defence Ministry lawyer Khawaja Haris Ahmed stated before the Supreme Court that the 2019 ICJ verdict’s right-to-appeal provisions had not been given to Jadhav — the legal argument being that the ICJ ruling only addressed consular access and not appeal rights. This statement, reported by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, highlighted the continuing gap between the ICJ’s directive and actual implementation on the ground.

Year/Period	Development
July 2019	ICJ verdict: Pakistan must review conviction; consular access mandated
2020	Pakistan enacted ordinance for Jadhav appeal rights
2021	Pakistan Parliament passed permanent bill; India rejected proceedings as inadequate
2023 (Oct)	Pakistan SC rules against civilian military trials – Pakistan says does not apply to Jadhav
2025 (Apr)	Pakistan Defence Ministry states Jadhav was not given appeal rights per ICJ ruling
2026 (Feb)	Kulbhushan Jadhav remains in Pakistani custody; case unresolved; execution stayed; ALIVE

DETAILED BIOGRAPHY

Early Life & Humble Beginnings

Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav was born on 16 April 1970, into a modest Marathi family in Sangli — a city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra known for its wrestling tradition and sugar industry. Growing up in a household where his father served the Mumbai Police, young Kulbhushan imbibed values of discipline, law, and patriotism from childhood. His upbringing in Maharashtra’s culturally rich and hardworking society laid the foundation for his future career as a military officer.

Educational Struggles & NDA Achievement

Like many aspirants from middle-class families, the path to the National Defence Academy was not simply handed to Kulbhushan — it was earned through years of preparation, academic excellence, and physical fitness. The NDA entrance examination is one of India’s most competitive, requiring not just academic brilliance but also physical and psychological resilience. His selection in 1987 placed him among the elite few chosen from hundreds of thousands of applicants across India.

At the NDA, Jadhav underwent rigorous military training, academic courses, and character development under India’s premier officer training system. Subsequently, at the Indian Naval Academy, he specialized in naval engineering — a discipline that is the technical backbone of a navy’s operational capability. He was commissioned as an officer into the Engineering Branch of the Indian Navy in 1991.

Military Career in the Indian Navy

Kulbhushan Jadhav served in the Indian Navy for over two decades. As an officer in the Engineering Branch, he would have been responsible for the maintenance, operation, and readiness of naval vessels and systems — a critical role in any modern navy. While the specifics of his postings remain classified or not in the public domain, his service until his premature retirement (acknowledged by the Indian government) represents decades of dedicated national service.

The Indian government has consistently maintained that Jadhav is a former naval officer who had no current connection to government service at the time of his detention in 2016. India states he took premature retirement and went on to pursue private business in the Iranian port city of Chabahar — a region where many Indian businesspeople were active given India’s interest in developing the Chabahar port as a trade gateway to Central Asia.

The Arrest & The Great Controversy

The pivotal moment in Kulbhushan Jadhav’s life — and what made him an internationally recognized figure — came on 3 March 2016. Pakistan announced that it had arrested Jadhav during a counter-intelligence operation in Balochistan province. Pakistani authorities alleged that he was an active spy for India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and was involved in espionage, sabotage, and fomenting terrorism and insurgency in Balochistan and Karachi.

India’s position has been diametrically opposite. The Indian government maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped by Pakistani intelligence from the Iran–Pakistan border region — abducted from Chabahar, Iran, where he was running a legitimate shipping and transportation business. India argues that his ‘confession’ was extracted under duress and that Pakistan fabricated evidence, noting serious inconsistencies in documents Pakistan claimed to have found on Jadhav.

The case attracted further international scrutiny when Sartaj Aziz, then Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, admitted before Pakistan’s Senate in December 2016 that the dossier on Jadhav contained ‘mere statements’ and lacked conclusive evidence. This statement was widely reported and raised serious doubts about the integrity of Pakistan’s case. Former RAW chief Vikram Sood also publicly stated in 2019 that the charges were ‘laughable’ and that ‘no spy worth his salt will be caught with his passport.’

The Death Sentence — April 2017

In April 2017, a Pakistani Field General Court Martial sentenced Kulbhushan Jadhav to death on charges of espionage and terrorism. The trial was conducted in complete secrecy by a military court — without any consular access being granted to India, without independent legal counsel of Jadhav’s choosing, and without transparency of proceedings. India condemned the trial as a ‘farcical’ and unjust process that violated all norms of international law and fair trial.

The announcement of Kulbhushan Jadhav’s death sentence sent shockwaves across India and the international community, immediately escalating India–Pakistan diplomatic tensions to a critical level. India resolved to fight for Jadhav’s life through every available international legal avenue.

India Goes to the ICJ – A Historic Legal Battle

On 8 May 2017, India took the unprecedented step of filing a case against Pakistan at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague — only the second time India had approached the ICJ and a historic moment in international diplomatic and legal history. India’s case had two key arguments: first, that Pakistan had violated the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations by denying India consular access to Jadhav; second, that the death sentence should be overturned and Jadhav should be acquitted and returned to India.

Just ten days after India’s filing, on 18 May 2017, the ICJ granted a stay of execution — meaning Pakistan was legally bound to not execute Kulbhushan Jadhav while the case was pending. This was a significant early victory for India, as it meant Jadhav’s life was protected while the legal process played out. The stay of execution remains in force, which is why Kulbhushan Jadhav is still alive today.

ICJ Verdict — July 2019

After extensive hearings in February 2019, the International Court of Justice delivered its landmark verdict on 17 July 2019. The court, in a decisive ruling favoring India on the core question of consular rights, found that Pakistan had indeed violated the Vienna Convention by denying India consular access to Jadhav. The ICJ directed Pakistan to provide consular access without further delay and ordered Pakistan to undertake an effective review and reconsideration of Jadhav’s conviction and sentence.

However, the ICJ did not grant India’s appeal for Jadhav’s acquittal or release — the court determined that this was beyond its authority and that the review process should be conducted within Pakistan’s own legal system. This nuanced verdict was hailed by both sides to varying degrees: India celebrated the finding on consular access and the directive for review, while Pakistan claimed it had been vindicated since the court had not ordered Jadhav’s release.

Post-ICJ Verdict: A Legal Labyrinth

Following the July 2019 ICJ verdict, implementation became mired in controversy. Pakistan enacted a series of ordinances and legislation ostensibly to allow Jadhav to appeal his conviction in Pakistan’s Islamabad High Court. However, India rejected these measures as inadequate, arguing that they did not comply with the letter and spirit of the ICJ judgment. India insisted that Jadhav should be represented by a lawyer of India’s choosing — either an Indian lawyer or an internationally recognized counsel — and that the proceedings must ensure a genuinely free and fair review.

Pakistan refused, asserting that only lawyers licensed to practice in Pakistan could appear before Pakistani courts. Pakistan also extended limited consular access — inviting India to consular meetings with conditions India deemed restrictive and inadequate. India declined to participate in legal proceedings it considered fundamentally flawed, asserting that doing so would lend false legitimacy to a process designed to deny Jadhav a fair hearing.

THE KULBHUSHAN JADHAV CASE — EXPLAINED

India’s Position

• Kulbhushan Jadhav is a former Indian Navy officer who took premature retirement
• After retirement, he set up a legitimate business in Chabahar, Iran
• He was kidnapped from Iranian territory and illegally rendered to Pakistan
• His so-called ‘confession’ was made under duress and coercion
• Pakistan violated the Vienna Convention by denying consular access
• His trial by a military court was secret, unfair, and without independent legal counsel
• India has NO current links with Jadhav — he was a private citizen when detained

Pakistan’s Position

• Kulbhushan Jadhav is an active spy for India’s RAW intelligence agency
• He was arrested during a counter-intelligence operation in Balochistan on 3 March 2016
• He was travelling on an authentic Indian passport under alias Hussain Mubarak Patel
• He confessed to involvement in terrorism, sabotage, and espionage inside Pakistan
• He was responsible for fomenting insurgency in Balochistan and terrorism in Karachi
• His trial was conducted in accordance with Pakistan’s laws for foreign spies

ICJ’s Findings (July 2019)

• Pakistan violated the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (Article 36)
• Pakistan must provide effective review and reconsideration of conviction and sentence
• Pakistan must grant India consular access to Jadhav without further delay
• India’s requests for acquittal and release were NOT granted by the court
• Execution stay remains in force until review is complete

WHERE IS KULBHUSHAN JADHAV NOW?

As of February 2026, Kulbhushan Jadhav is alive and remains in Pakistani custody. He has been held in detention in Pakistan since his arrest on 3 March 2016 — nearly a decade in captivity. His exact location within Pakistan’s prison/detention system is not publicly disclosed by Pakistani authorities.

Question	Answer
Is Kulbhushan Jadhav still alive?	YES – He is confirmed alive as of 2026
Where is Kulbhushan Jadhav now?	In Pakistani custody – exact prison location undisclosed
Is Kulbhushan Jadhav released?	NO – He has not been released
Has his death sentence been carried out?	NO – ICJ stay of execution remains in force
Where is Kulbhushan Jadhav right now?	Pakistan – in military/civilian detention
What is Kulbhushan Jadhav’s current status?	Death row prisoner in Pakistan; case under review per ICJ directive; alive; not released
Kulbhushan Jadhav release date?	No release date has been set; case remains unresolved

CONCLUSION — LEGACY & FUTURE VISION

Kulbhushan Jadhav’s story is one that transcends the political boundaries of India and Pakistan. At its heart, it is the story of a man — a soldier, a son, a husband, a father — caught in the grinding gears of geopolitical rivalry. Whether one views him as India’s innocent victim of state-sponsored kidnapping or as Pakistan’s captured spy, what is beyond dispute is that his case has left a permanent mark on international law, India–Pakistan diplomatic relations, and the global conversation about the rights of individuals in adversarial state environments.

The International Court of Justice’s 2019 verdict in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case will be studied by legal scholars for decades to come. It affirmed that even in cases involving alleged espionage — one of the most politically sensitive categories of international law — the fundamental protections of the Vienna Convention apply. It reinforced the principle that human beings, regardless of the charges against them, are entitled to consular access and a fair trial.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Kulbhushan Jadhav still alive?

Yes, Kulbhushan Jadhav is alive as of February 2026. Kulbhushan Jadhav remains in custody, and reports confirm his ongoing survival despite the prolonged ordeal in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case. His endurance inspires many, showing unbreakable spirit amid adversity.

2. Where is Kulbhushan Jadhav now? 

Kulbhushan Jadhav is currently incarcerated in Pakistan’s military custody. As per the latest updates in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, Kulbhushan Jadhav continues to be held under Pakistani authorities, with no change in location reported in Kulbhushan Jadhav latest news for 2026.

3. What is the Kulbhushan Jadhav current status?

The Kulbhushan Jadhav current status is that he is a prisoner in Pakistan, sentenced to death in 2017 (stayed by the ICJ). Recent statements from India’s MEA indicate coercion claims regarding review petitions, but Kulbhushan Jadhav remains detained. His story of perseverance motivates those facing tough circumstances.

4. Kulbhushan Jadhav latest news?

In Kulbhushan Jadhav latest news as of February 2026, India has accused Pakistan of coercing Kulbhushan Jadhav to refuse a case review, seeking full ICJ judgment implementation. Kulbhushan Jadhav is still in custody, with diplomatic efforts ongoing in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case. No major resolution has occurred, but hope persists for justice.

5. Is Kulbhushan Jadhav released? 

No, Kulbhushan Jadhav has not been released, and there is no confirmed Kulbhushan Jadhav release date. The Kulbhushan Jadhav case continues under international scrutiny, with the ICJ’s 2019 ruling for review and consular access yet to be fully implemented.

6. Is Kulbhushan Jadhav alive or not? 

Kulbhushan Jadhav is alive. Queries like “is Kulbhushan Jadhav still alive” or “Kulbhushan Jadhav is alive” receive consistent confirmation from reliable sources—no reports indicate otherwise in recent Kulbhushan Jadhav latest news.

7. Who is Kulbhushan Jadhav? 

Who is Kulbhushan Yadav? Kulbhushan Jadhav (also spelled Kulbhushan Yadav in some references) is a former Indian Navy officer (Commander rank, per Indian claims) born on April 16, 1970. Arrested in 2016, he became central to the high-profile Kulbhushan Jadhav case involving espionage allegations (denied by India). Kulbhushan Jadhav‘s journey from naval service to this diplomatic saga highlights courage and patriotism.

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