Govt. of India Will Decide It On Its Own Merits; It's Already Doing So Much: Supreme Court On Plea Seeking Diplomatic Intervention In Nurse Nimisha Priya's Execution In Yemen

Today, the Supreme Court heard the the PIL seeking diplomatic intervention to save the life of Nimisha Priya and observed that the Government of India will decide the issue on it own merits.

A Public Interest Litigation seeking diplomatic intervention for saving the life of a Nurse, Nimisha Priya, who has been convicted for a murder of a citizen of Yemen and has been sentenced to death. The tentative date for execution of Nimisha Priya has been fixed on July 16, 2025, however, the same has been postponed by the Yemen administration.

Earlier, while hearing the PIL on Monday, the Supreme Court said that let the conversation be informal with regard to settling the blood money with the family of deceased.

A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta observed, "As of now the execution has been stayed. The Petitioner wish to make some representation to the Government l, which they are free to move, and upon such representation being made the Government will consider it on its own merits"

While referring to a Circular of Government of India, Senior Advocate Ragenth Basant, appearing for the Save Nimisha Priya – International Action Council, submitted, "Now, Yemen is a country where there is a travel ban...we can't go...unless the Government relaxes the ban, there is a circular...says...except the Government of India on special permission can allow something..."

However, Justice Nath said, "...the Government will consider it...Government is already doing so much for you...taking good care of whatever is possible at there end...they are already..."

"Absolutely, I must...the Government of India and there was a very well revered religious scholar from Kerala who also got involved...all of them put together...they established contact and now the death sentence have been stayed...my request is...can the government...delegation of two or three people from the petitioner organisation and from the representative of this...who has contacts in Yemen...let them...", replied Basant.

Basant further urged that if it would have been any other country they would have easily booked a flight, however, due to the travel ban in Yemen, unless the Government permits and relaxes, one cannot even go there.

"Ideally, if the government is okay with it... one representative from the government...but that I can only if...I don't know what the diplomatic consequence of it...but if the government is okay with it...some of us...can go", Basant continued to submit.

It was emphasised that the only purpose to visit Yemen is to meet the family of the deceased.

While Attorney General of India, AG Venkataramani submitted, "I don't think anything formally can happen at this point...this kind of permission for the travel...there is so many...therefore the diplomatic intra-country relations are involved. It is not as easy as that...if doesn't happen why should we create a problem where the real issue is not solved...we will certainly consider it but don't't put it on record...what happens is small sniff from somewhere it becomes newsline...I don't wish to become counter productive."

Justice Mehta said, "He is not asking for any direction..."

While, Justice Nath questioned, "The stay there is indefinite or some date?"

Basan replied that there is no date for the execution of Nimisha Priya as of now and the mother went to Yemen.

Justice Mehta confirmed how did the mother went, to which Basant said that the High Court of Delhi requested the Government to give us the exemption so that the mother could go to Yemen. Therefore, he insisted the Supreme Court to request the Government to give the permission to the representatives of Petitioner to travel to Yemen in order to negotiate and beg forgiveness from the family of the deceased.

Venkataramani advised, "The family engage a Power of attorney...family is only...who should be considered with that...we are not...about any outsider to be involved even with the best of interest."

Justice Nath remarked, "Sorry, we are not saying anything...we will just say whatever the request they make to the government...the government may consider it."

However, Venkataramani was of the opinion that the problem there is an organisation who want to do Good Samaritan, but if the Government could not do something, then it becomes another news.

"We are concerned about this woman to come out safely, so that all the government do that is being...we don't want something counter productive happening. I don't think it will be a different story if the organisation goes there. I don't think I visualise that...the Government is trying to push in as many circles as possible...see if the Government cannot do it...I don't not know whether an organisation can do it better...", submitted Venkataramani.

Venkataramani also expressed that all these discussions are on legal news platforms already, to which, Justice Nath said, "That we cannot stop... either you request for a in camera proceeding...we will do that...no problem."

"I only want this woman to come out safely", said Venkataramani.

Upon which, Basant again submitted that they are thankful to the Government of Indian for all the efforts and he would make representation to the Government of India regarding seeking permission to travel to Yemen.

The Court recorded in its Order, "As of now the execution has been stayed. The Petitioner wish to make some representation to the Government l, which they are free to move, and upon such representation being made the Government will consider it on its own merits."

The matter is now to be heard on August 14, 2025.

Case Background

A PIL was filed by Save Nimisha Priya – International Action Council, an organisation formed to assist Nimisha Priya and her family. Nimisha Priya was working as Nurse in Yemen for more than a decade, however, her husband and minor daughter returned to India in 2014 due to civil war in Yemen.

Nimisha has been convicted for the murder of a citizen of Yemen, named Talal Abdo Mahdi. It is the case of the organisation that Mahdi had abused and harassed Nimisha Priya, forged documents to claim that she had been married to him and also seized her passport.

On the suggestion of warden of local Jail, Nimisha gave sedatives to Mahdi to retrieve her passport, however, due to overdose of drugs, Mahdi died. The trial court sentenced her to death and her appeals to the first appellate court and the Supreme Judicial Council of Yemen were dismissed. However, the option of 'blood money' was kept open by the first appeal court, wherein, Nimisha can gain pardon from the family of the deceased by paying blood money to the family in accordance Shariah Law. Cause

Title: Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council Versus Union Of India And Anr (W.P.(C) No. 649/2025 PIL-W)

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