SC to Urgently Hear Plea to Halt Execution of Kerala Nurse in Yemen.
The Supreme Court has agreed to urgently hear a petition seeking to stop the execution of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse from Kerala, who faces the death penalty in Yemen. Her execution is scheduled for July 16.
A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi initially proposed listing the matter on July 14. However, Senior Advocate Raghenth Basant, appearing for the petitioner, urged the court to take it up earlier, stressing the limited time available for diplomatic efforts.
“Kindly list it today or tomorrow. The execution is on July 16. Even diplomatic channels need time,” Basant told the bench.
Who Filed the Plea?
The plea was filed by the ‘Save Nimisha Priya Action Council’, a group advocating for her release. It seeks the court’s direction to the central government to intervene diplomatically and explore legal avenues in Yemen to secure her release.
Legal Hope Through Shariat Law
Basant informed the court that under Yemen’s Shariat-based legal system, a death sentence can be commuted if the victim’s family agrees to accept “blood money” — a form of financial compensation. He argued that timely diplomatic negotiations could still help save Priya’s life.
What Is the Case About?
When the bench inquired about the circumstances of the case, Basant explained:
“I am an Indian citizen from Kerala. Went there for employment as a nurse. A local person started torturing me… and he was killed.” Priya was reportedly subjected to prolonged abuse by a Yemeni national while working in the country. She was convicted of his murder and sentenced to death by a Yemeni court.
What Happens Next?
The court has agreed to urgently hear the matter, with an updated listing expected soon. The petitioners hope the Indian government will initiate negotiations with the victim’s family to prevent the execution. This case has drawn widespread attention from human rights groups and the Indian diaspora, with growing calls for swift diplomatic intervention.
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