Nimisha Priya Case: Supreme Court Allows Urgent Mention, Awaits Negotiations
The Supreme Court on Thursday postponed for eight weeks the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, seeking urgent steps to save Indian nurse Nimisha Priya from execution in Yemen.
Priya, convicted by a Yemeni court in 2018, was scheduled to be executed on 16 July 2025. Her execution was stayed on 15 July until further orders. The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta was informed by Advocate K.R. Subhash Chandran that discussions were ongoing to resolve the matter.
The petitioner has been allowed to urgently mention the case if needed. Earlier, on 18 July, the Supreme Court had permitted the petitioner to approach the Union Government for diplomatic intervention.
Attorney General R. Venkataramani told the court that diplomatic efforts were already in motion and requested more time. Senior Advocate R. Basant, representing the petitioner, informed the court that the immediate priority was to secure forgiveness from the victim’s family — a necessary step under Yemeni law to negotiate the payment of diyah (blood money).
The petitioner also highlighted that travel to Yemen is currently restricted and only the Government of India can grant special permission for negotiators to visit. The court, however, refrained from issuing any directions, advising the petitioner to deal directly with the Government.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging urgent intervention in the case, calling for “sympathy and intervention at the highest level.”
Case Title: Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council v. Union of India & Anr.
