The Supreme Court was on Friday informed that the execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who is on death row for murder in Yemen, has been stayed.
Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, told a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that “efforts are on” in the matter.
What did the government lawyer say?
The top law officer said the government wants Priya to come back safely. “They (government) are taking good care of whatever is possible,” the bench observed. The counsel appearing for the petitioner said they have to first get pardon and then the issue of “blood money” would come.
The petitioner informed the court that the execution has been postponed.The bench posted the matter for further hearing on August 14.The apex court was hearing a plea seeking a direction to the Centre to use diplomatic channels to save Priya, 38, facing execution in Yemen.
The execution was earlier scheduled for July 16.
Priya, a nurse from Palakkad district of Kerala, was convicted of murdering her Yemeni business partner in 2017. She was sentenced to death in 2020, and her final appeal was rejected in 2023.She is currently imprisoned in a jail in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen.
What did the MEA say about the Nimisha Priya case?
Earlier, the MEA emphasised that recent efforts have been aimed at securing more time for Priya’s family to explore a settlement. “This included concerted efforts in recent days to seek more time for the family of Nimisha Priya to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party. The local authorities in Yemen have postponed carrying out her sentence scheduled for July 16, 2025,” Jaiswal added.
Calling the matter “sensitive,” Jaiswal said the government remains engaged at various levels. “We continue to closely follow the matter and render all possible assistance. We are also in touch with some friendly governments in this regard.”
When asked about the involvement of Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, who has reportedly attempted to mediate in the case, Jaiswal said, “As far as the role of the entity you mentioned is concerned, I have no information to share.”