Supreme Court informed that Nimisha Priya’s execution in Yemen has been stayed
text_fields
The Supreme Court was told on Thursday that the execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen has been stayed for now, and that “nothing adverse” has occurred in the case.
During the hearing, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta asked, “What has happened to the execution?”
Appearing for the Union government, Attorney General R. Venkataramani informed the bench that a new mediator had stepped into the matter and added that the only good thing was that nothing adverse had happened.
The court was hearing a petition filed by the ‘Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council,’ which has been extending legal support to Priya. The petitioner’s counsel confirmed that the execution had been stayed and requested that the matter be adjourned.
The bench agreed and said, “List in January 2026. It will be open for the parties to apply for early listing in case the situation demands.”
Priya, a 38-year-old nurse from Palakkad, Kerala, was convicted in 2017 for murdering her Yemeni business partner and sentenced to death in 2020. Her final appeal was rejected in 2023, and she remains imprisoned in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen.
Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel had informed the court that payment of blood money to the victim’s family — permissible under Sharia law — could be considered as a means to seek pardon.
On July 17, India stated that it was in touch with Yemeni authorities and friendly nations to find a “mutually agreeable solution.” A day later, the Centre told the Supreme Court that it was making every possible effort to ensure Priya’s safe return.
On August 14, the petitioner’s counsel said there was “no immediate threat” to her life.
The court was also informed that Priya’s mother had travelled to Yemen to negotiate with the victim’s family, after the Delhi High Court directed the Centre to grant her permission for the visit.