The Supreme Court of India adjourned sine die plea by Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council in Nimisha Priya execution case abroad, granting liberty to revive petition amid ongoing negotiations.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court adjourned sine die a Latin term meaning “without a day” a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council seeking intervention in the case of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who faces execution abroad.
The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued the order after being informed that negotiations are currently in progress. Recording the submission, the Court noted the petition could be revived if circumstances change.
The Bench said,
“In case of any development takes place, both the parties are at liberty to file an application for getting the matter listed,”
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The PIL had requested urgent action, including diplomatic and legal measures, to prevent Priya’s execution. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee represented the Union government. Counsel for the petitioner told the Court that discussions and negotiations are actively underway and sought an adjournment.
In light of this, the Bench chose not to keep the matter on its board and adjourned it sine die, leaving the case in abeyance pending further developments. In October 2025, Attorney General R Venkataramani had informed the Court that a new mediator had been appointed to try to resolve the matter concerning Priya, who faces a death sentence in Yemen. “The only good thing is that nothing adverse has happened”, the bench was further told.
Earlier, in August 2025, the Supreme Court had adjourned the PIL for eight weeks. Priya, convicted by a Yemeni court, had been scheduled for execution on July 16, 2025, but the execution was stayed on July 15 until further orders. On July 18, the Apex Court permitted the petitioner to file a representation before the Union government seeking diplomatic intervention on Priya’s behalf.
At that hearing, Attorney General Venkataramani said efforts were ongoing and requested an adjournment, adding, “Let it be put for some other day so that we know in the meanwhile…”
Senior Advocate R. Basant, for the petitioner, said the temporary stay had been obtained with assistance from multiple stakeholders and that the next essential step is to obtain forgiveness from the victim’s family a prerequisite under Yemeni law for beginning negotiations over diyah (blood money). He also noted a travel ban is in effect and only the Government of India can authorize travel to Yemen for such negotiations.
The Attorney General cautioned against hasty intervention, observing,
“There are so many diplomatic, inter-country relationships involved… Why should we get involved and create a problem when the real issue is solved?”
The Court declined to issue any formal order but allowed the petitioner to submit a representation to the government for its consideration.
On July 15, Priya’s execution related to Case No. 68 of 2018 was officially postponed. Authorities informed the Director of the Central Correctional Facility that the postponement followed directions from the Attorney General. On July 14, the Supreme Court had heard the PIL seeking urgent diplomatic action to prevent the scheduled July 16 execution.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar urging immediate intervention, describing the case as deserving of “sympathy and intervention at the highest level.”
Case Title: Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council v. Union of India & Anr.
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