The Supreme Court, today, refused to entertain the Petition filed by Dr. K.A.. Paul, an Indian evangelist turned politician, in the matter related to Nimisha Priya, a Nurse who has been sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni citizen.

Earlier, on August 14, the Supreme Court adjourned the PIL filed by Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council for diplomatic intervention to save the life of Nurse Nimisha Priya, for eight weeks after the Petitioner submitted that there was no urgency in the matter.

The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta refused to pass an order in plea seeking directions to restrain others from making "unverified public statements" in the Nimisha Priya case.


At the outset, AGI R. Venkataramani, appearing on behalf of the Union of India, submitted that the said petition should not be taken any further as the Government of India periodically briefs the Press regarding the matter.

"My Lords may generally say that the Government of India is aligned to the sensitive matter and this press briefing will ensure that no further media reports are made...", requested AGI.

Upon which the Petitioner, Dr. K.A.Paul, submitted that Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees the life of Nimisha Priya, being an Indian Citizen. "Article 14 guarantees equality...I am working with the Government...I secured her release", said Paul.

Paul further submitted correspondence from the Prison in Yemen and emphasised that his submissions were not in regard to stopping the Government from speaking but to stop the Save Nimisha Priya organisation from intervening and making public statements.

Thereafter, the Court questioned Paul's grievance and confirmed whether Paul sought that no other person should come out and make statements to the media.

Paul responded and said, "Yes, especially Save Nimisha Priya Foundation..."

To which, Justice Mehta remarked, "AGI has said so that the Government of India will make the media briefing and no one else...What more do you want?"

However, Paul further argued, "I have done it so secretly. 27 years, I never gave a press briefing....the mother and father (of the deceased Yemen citizen) has told me personally that they agree to pardon... they give three conditions, I have already fulfilled two conditions. The last condition, they said, is not to speak, not to the Government. The Government has every right to speak, and I am working with the Government. But, the Nimisha Priya Foundation, which has ruined this..."

To which Justice Mehta said that the Foundation has already agreed not to speak and remarked, "Do not unnecessarily spoil the things."

Advocate appearing on behalf of Save Nimisha Priya Action Council, informed the Bench that the council was comprised of retired judges of the Supreme Court, MLAs, MPs etc.

He continued to submit, "We as Action Council has said that we will not collect any money till the time they forgive us. In these matters, the first step is to forgive and then the blood money comes...these matters are very sensitive. There are many vested interests forming...so, we said we will start collecting money if and when we get... approval that they have pardoned us." He further said that the only motive was to save the life of Nimisha Priya.

Upon which, Paul again vehemently argued that the Government of India have failed openly and alleged that the Save Nimisha Priya Foundation has misused the money collected as blood money.

Accordingly, Paul withdrew the petition.

Background

Earlier, on July 18, 2025, the Supreme Court expressed that the Government of India will decide the issue on its own merits. “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", observed the Supreme Court.

On July 14, 2025, the Supreme Court said that let the conversation be informal with regard to settling the blood money with the family of the deceased. "We don't want these communications to come in public...they may unsettle the matter...the options are here, the AG is already there, the Government is supporting, making all the efforts. So, let it be an informal communication. There isn't anything to brought on record", said the Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta.

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 a 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 an 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: Dr. K.A Paul @ Kilari Anand Paul (W.P.(C) No. 803/2025 PIL-W)

Justice Vikram NathJustice Sandeep Mehta

Pridhi Chopra

    Pridhi Chopra was earlier practicing as an Advocate in Delhi. She pursued B.A. (H) English from Gargi College, University of Delhi, and subsequently pursued a degree in Law.