The Indian government Today (July 14) told the Supreme Court it has done all it can to help nurse Nimisha Priya, sentenced to death in Yemen. The only hope now is a settlement through “blood money” with the victim’s family.
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NEW DELHI: The Indian government has told the Supreme Court that there is very little more it can do to stop the execution of Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, who has been sentenced to death in Yemen.
Nimisha is facing the death penalty for allegedly killing a Yemeni man who had been harassing her.
On Monday, while hearing the matter, the Supreme Court bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta was told by the Centre that the case was complicated due to limited diplomatic ties between India and Yemen.
“It is unfortunate… but there is a limit on what we can do,”
-the government submitted before the court, highlighting the difficulty in helping Nimisha through official channels.
The government added,
“The only way is if the family (of the Yemeni man) agrees to accept the ‘blood money’ (i.e., financial compensation).”
The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that Nimisha Priya’s mother had travelled to Yemen and is currently working as a domestic worker there. She is trying to negotiate with the victim’s family in hopes of convincing them to accept blood money, which will be arranged privately.
The counsel stressed that the government’s help in this process is crucial, as negotiation is the only hope to stop the execution.
Justice Mehta acknowledged the seriousness of the situation by stating,
“It’s a sensitive matter.”
Attorney General R. Venkataramani, appearing for the government, clarified the Indian government’s limited role in the case.
“The government has a limited role; Yemen isn’t diplomatically recognized. Blood money is a private arrangement,”
-he said.
He explained further,
“The Indian government has done all it reasonably can. Yemen presents unique challenges, unlike other countries. To avoid complicating matters, efforts have been kept private. Some influential individuals and local Sheikhs are already involved in ongoing negotiations.”
He admitted that the situation is hard to monitor in detail.
“There’s no clear way to ascertain the exact situation on ground. The government has made every possible effort.”
Justice Mehta also expressed concern about the possibility of execution, calling it deeply upsetting:
“The real concern is the nature of the incident. If she loses her life, it would be deeply tragic.”
The Attorney General responded,
“It’s a very unfortunate matter, but not one where the government can be directed to go beyond its diplomatic limits.”
Justice Mehta emphasized that the petitioner is not asking for anything unreasonable:
“The petitioner is merely seeking assistance in facilitating negotiations.”
To this, AG Venkataramani replied,
“It could be a matter of increased compensation. We’re not certain. The situation appears to be at a standstill, but the government is doing its best.”
Justice Nath then asked the petitioner directly,
“What exactly are you seeking from the Court now?”
The senior counsel for the petitioner responded by explaining that Embassy officials in Yemen are already accompanying the mother during jail visits, and that some private individuals have started negotiations.
He requested only that a government representative continue assisting similarly.
AG Venkataramani clarified,
“That is already being done.”
The petitioner added that if any contact can be made with the victim’s family, it may help delay or stop the execution.
Justice Mehta asked,
“How can the Court issue such an order? Who would enforce it?”
Justice Nath then concluded by saying,
“We’ll list the matter again in 3–4 days and consider how best to proceed with disposal.”
The petitioner’s counsel made a heartfelt plea, saying,
“If this can make even 0.5% difference. That is the only intention. Let money not be an issue if they are ready to negotiate.”
In the end, the Supreme Court stated that after hearing the Attorney General, the matter will be listed again on Friday. The court directed all parties involved to update the Court on the status by then.
PREVIOUSLY IN APEX COURT
A very serious and emotional case has reached the Supreme Court of India. A plea was filed on July 10 asking the Indian government to take urgent diplomatic steps to stop the execution of Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old Indian nurse from Kerala, who is currently on death row in Yemen.
She is scheduled to be hanged on July 16, 2025, for allegedly killing a Yemeni man.
Nimisha was accused of murdering Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017. According to reports, she gave him sedative injections in an attempt to take back her passport, which he had kept with him. Unfortunately, the man died due to the sedatives, and Nimisha was arrested and later sentenced to death under Yemeni Sharia law.
The case was urgently mentioned in the Supreme Court of India. The lawyer appearing for the petitioner told the court,
“She is a 37 year old lady. Sentence to death in Yemen under Sharia Law. Sentence can be condoned if the family forgives. If the union can intervene..”
This means that under Yemen’s Sharia law, if the victim’s family forgives her and accepts “blood money”, then the death sentence can be cancelled.
The lawyer further told the court,
“I am an Indian citizen..”
emphasizing that the case involves an Indian national and needs the support of the Indian government to initiate diplomatic negotiations.
The bench, comprising Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, responded by asking,
“What did you do?”
referring to any prior steps taken by the petitioner.
After hearing the matter briefly, the Supreme Court agreed to take up the case and said,
“We can list on July 14”.
This means the court will officially hear and consider the plea on July 14, just two days before the scheduled execution date.
The plea has requested that the Union Government of India urgently reach out to Yemen’s authorities to negotiate for forgiveness and the payment of “blood money”, which is legally allowed under Yemen’s Sharia system.
Nimisha Priya’s Background
Early Life and Education
- Born on 1 January 1989 in Kollengode, Palakkad district, Kerala to daily-wage labourer parents. A local church supported her nursing training after she couldn’t complete school exams.
Move to Yemen
- Moved to Yemen in 2008 to work as a nurse in government hospitals in Sana’a. In 2011, her husband and daughter returned to India due to financial strain and civil unrest, while she stayed behind.
Opening Clinic and Partnership
- In early 2015, she co-founded Al Aman Medical Clinic, a 14-bed facility, in partnership with Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi, as required by local law.
- Later, tensions rose: Mahdi allegedly stole funds, seized her passport, and physically and psychologically abused her.
2017 Incident and Arrest
- In July 2017, struggling to retrieve her passport, she allegedly injected Mahdi with sedatives; the overdose proved fatal. She then, with another nurse, dismembered his body and disposed of it in a water tank
- Nimisha was arrested in August 2017 near the Saudi border
Trial and Death Sentence
- Convicted of murder in 2018, she was sentenced to death under Yemeni Sharia law. Appeals were rejected by a retrial in 2020 and again by the Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023
- In December 2024, Yemen’s President Rashad al-Alimi approved the execution order, originally set for January but now confirmed for 16 July 2025
Family Visit and Diplomatic Efforts
- In April 2024, her mother Prema Kumari visited Yemen, meeting Nimisha at Sana’a prison and initiating negotiations with tribal elders
- Activists and her action council have offered blood money (diyat), pledging up to USD 1 million (Rs 8–8.6 crore), but the victim’s family has not yet accepted
- Negotiations have involved Indian officials, Houthi authorities via Iran, and activists like Samuel Jerome Baskaran.
Current Status
- Nimisha remains in central prison, Sana’a, under Houthi control. With her execution set for 16 July 2025, there is intense pressure on the Government of India to secure a last-minute pardon or blood-money settlement
CASE TITLE:
SAVE NIMISHA PRIYA INTERNATIONAL ACTION COUNCIL vs UNION OF INDIA AND ANR.
W.P.(C) No. 649/2025
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