SC agrees to hear plea to halt execution of Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear an urgent petition seeking intervention to halt the scheduled execution of Nimisha Priya, a 38-year-old nurse from Palakkad, Kerala, who is currently on death row in Yemen for the alleged murder of her Yemeni business partner. The execution is reportedly set for July 16, 2025.

A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi listed the matter for hearing on July 14, after advocate K Subhash Chandran appeared before the court, urging immediate diplomatic intervention through official channels. The petition was filed by the Save Nimisha Priya – International Action Council, an organisation supporting legal efforts to save her.

The petition pointed out that under Sharia law, execution in murder cases can be averted if the victim’s family accepts “blood money” (financial compensation) and issues a formal pardon. The legal counsel emphasised that diplomatic negotiations with the Yemeni authorities and the victim’s family are still possible, and should be urgently pursued.

The bench has directed the petitioners to serve a copy of the plea to the Attorney General of India, seeking his assistance in the matter.

Nimisha Priya was convicted in 2017 for the murder of her Yemeni business partner. She was sentenced to death in 2020, and her final appeal was rejected in 2023. She is currently being held in Sana’a Central Prison, the capital of war-torn Yemen.

The petition also cited media reports indicating that the tentative date of execution has been fixed for July 16 by Yemeni authorities. Given the geopolitical situation in Yemen, securing legal remedies and diplomatic outreach has been challenging, prompting the petitioners to approach India’s top court as a last resort.