After Yemen postpones execution, SC notes Centre’s handling of Nimisha Priya case. The Supreme Court has acknowledged that the Central government is “taking good care” of the case involving Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who faces execution in Yemen.
The observation came shortly after Yemeni authorities postponed the 38-year-old Indian woman’s execution earlier this week, offering a temporary reprieve and renewed hope for diplomatic intervention.
During Friday’s hearing, the counsel representing Nimisha Priya’s family requested the court’s permission to travel to Yemen to pursue the case.
However, the Supreme Court directed them to approach the Central government, citing an existing travel ban to the conflict-hit country and emphasizing the need for official clearance.
In a significant development, a private organisation requested permission for its members and a representative of Kerala’s Sunni Islamic leader and Grand Mufti of India, Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musaliyar, to travel to Yemen in connection with Nimisha Priya’s case.
Musaliyar’s timely intervention is widely credited with influencing the Yemeni authorities’ decision to postpone Priya’s execution. Recognizing the ongoing diplomatic efforts, the Supreme Court acknowledged the Central government’s role, with the bench noting, “They (government) are taking good care of whatever is possible,” as reported by PTI.
Kerala Nurse on Death Row: The Murder Case Against Nimisha Priya
Nimisha Priya, a Kerala nurse, faces a death sentence in Yemen over a 2017 murder case. According to her account, the man had subjected her to repeated physical and financial abuse.
In an attempt to retrieve her confiscated documents, she allegedly tried to sedate him, but the act resulted in a fatal overdose. The case has since drawn significant attention in India, with legal and diplomatic efforts underway to save her from execution.
Nimisha Priya was convicted of murder by a Yemeni court in 2020, a verdict later upheld by the Houthi-run Supreme Judicial Council. Nimisha Priya’s execution, initially scheduled for July 16, 2025, was halted just a day prior following the crucial intervention of the Grand Mufti of India, Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musaliyar.
His diplomatic outreach is believed to have played a key role in securing the temporary reprieve. Meanwhile, the Indian government has reiterated its commitment to the case, stating it is closely monitoring developments and maintaining regular contact with Yemeni authorities to explore all possible avenues for resolution.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that legal assistance has been provided, including the appointment of a lawyer to support Priya’s family. He added that regular consular visits have been arranged, and efforts are ongoing to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels.