Will the SC intervene to save Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya from execution in Yemen?
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Synopsis
As the date of execution approaches, the Supreme Court's upcoming hearing on Nimisha Priya's plea raises critical questions about legal and diplomatic interventions. Can the Indian government save her from a grim fate in Yemen?
Key Takeaways
- Nimisha Priya's execution is scheduled for July 16.
- Her case has garnered significant media attention.
- Legal and diplomatic efforts are being mobilized to secure her release.
- The option of blood money remains open under Sharia law.
- The Supreme Court will hear the case on July 14.
New Delhi, July 13 (NationPress) The Supreme Court is scheduled to deliberate on a plea this Monday, urging the Centre to leverage diplomatic efforts to rescue Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya from impending execution.
The Indian national, Nimisha Priya, has been sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni citizen, Talal Abdo Mehd, and has endured imprisonment for three years. Her execution is tentatively set for July 16.
According to the causelist on the apex court's website, a Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta will hear the petition filed by the Save Nimisha Priya Action Council on July 14.
The petition references Sharia law, indicating that the death sentence may be mitigated through the payment of 'diya' (blood money) to the victim's family.
On Thursday, a 'Partial Court Working Days Bench' led by Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi directed the matter to be listed for July 14 following an urgent request from senior advocate Ragenth Basant.
The Justice Dhulia-led Bench instructed that a copy of the petition be provided to the Attorney General of India, the country's highest legal authority.
Given the case's urgency, the Supreme Court has requested the Union government to outline the actions taken in response by the scheduled date.
Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kollengode in Kerala's Palakkad district, relocated to Yemen in 2008 to assist her parents, who are daily wage laborers. She served in various hospitals before establishing her own clinic.
In 2017, a conflict arose between her and her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, after she allegedly opposed his attempts to misappropriate funds.
Her family contends that Nimisha injected Mahdi with sedatives to reclaim her confiscated passport, tragically leading to his death due to an overdose. She was apprehended while trying to flee the country and was convicted of murder in 2018. In 2020, a trial court in Sanaa sentenced her to death, a verdict upheld by Yemen's Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023, albeit allowing for the option of blood money.
Nimisha's mother, Prema Kumari (57), has been fervently advocating for the repeal of the death sentence. She traveled to Sanaa to negotiate the blood money payment with the victim's family, supported by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, a group of NRI social workers based in Yemen.
Point of View
The nation must rally for justice and humanity. The case of Nimisha Priya emphasizes the importance of diplomatic channels in safeguarding our citizens abroad. It reflects our commitment to human rights and the need for thorough legal processes, particularly when lives are at stake.
NationPress
13/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the status of Nimisha Priya's case?
Nimisha Priya's case is currently pending review by the Supreme Court, which will hear a plea for intervention to prevent her execution in Yemen.
What charges does Nimisha Priya face?
Nimisha Priya has been convicted of murder in Yemen, resulting in a death sentence, which is under reconsideration by the Indian Supreme Court.
What legal avenues are being pursued?
The 'Save Nimisha Priya Action Council' is advocating for the Indian government to negotiate using diplomatic channels and explore the possibility of blood money to mitigate the death penalty.
How long has Nimisha Priya been imprisoned?
Nimisha Priya has been imprisoned for approximately three years following her conviction in 2018.
What actions has her family taken?
Her mother, Prema Kumari, has been actively campaigning for a waiver of the death penalty and has traveled to Sanaa to negotiate on behalf of her daughter.
