The Supreme Court of India on Friday had stated that the Central government is “taking good care” of the case involving Nimisha Priya, a Kerala-based nurse facing execution in Yemen. The court’s remarks came after Yemeni authorities postponed the 38-year-old Indian woman’s execution earlier this week.
During the hearing, the counsel representing Priya’s family sought the court’s permission to travel to Yemen for the case. However, the bench directed the family to approach the Centre for clearance, citing an ongoing travel ban.
A private organisation had requested permission for its members to travel along with a representative of Kerala’s Sunni Islamic leader and Grand Mufti of India, Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musaliyar.
It was Musaliyar’s intervention that reportedly led to the last-minute postponement of Priya’s execution which was originally scheduled for July 16.
“They (the government) are taking good care of whatever is possible,” the bench noted, according to PTI.
The Union government on Friday told the Supreme Court that it wanted the Kerala nurse to “come out safely,” and warned against any third-party interventions that could potentially jeopardise sensitive diplomatic efforts underway to secure her release, reported Hindustan Times.
Attorney general R Venkataramani told the court that simultaneous efforts by private individuals or organisations seeking to negotiate with the victim’s family, might prove to be “counter-productive” at this phase.
He stated that with regards to the petitioner organisation which was seeking relief for Priya, and their request for permission to travel to Yemen.
The court declined to grant such permission and instead advised the petitioner, Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, to approach the government directly.
It allowed the organisation to make a formal representation to the government, which, the bench ordered, “shall be considered on its own merits.” The matter will be taken up again on August 14.
What Is the Case Against Nimisha Priya?
Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse from Kerala, was sentenced to death in Yemen for allegedly murdering a Yemeni national in 2017. Priya has claimed that the man physically and financially abused her. In an attempt to retrieve her documents from him, she allegedly tried to sedate him, but an overdose led to his death.
She was convicted in 2020 by a Yemeni court, and the verdict was later upheld by the Houthi-run Supreme Judicial Council.
Priya’s execution was scheduled for July 16 but was stayed on July 15 following Musaliyar’s diplomatic intervention.
The Indian government has stated it is closely monitoring the situation. “We have provided legal assistance and appointed a lawyer to assist the family. We have also arranged regular consular visits and remained in constant touch with both the local authorities and the family,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
