Kerala Nurse Nimisha Priya’s Execution In Yemen: Supreme Court Told India Can’t Intervene Further

On Monday, the Indian government told the Supreme Court that it had exhausted all possible diplomatic methods to stop the execution of Nimisha Priya, a Kerala nurse on the death row in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni citizen. The execution is scheduled for July 16, 2025, and the last hearing in court decreased the chances of saving her life.

The Supreme Court was hearing a plea that urged the Centre to increase its diplomatic efforts to save Nimisha Priya. According to news agency ANI, the plea also sought urgent humanitarian or diplomatic intervention. However, the government’s counsel, Attorney General R. Venkataramani, said there is “nothing much” the government can do at this stage due to the sensitive nature of Yemen’s political environment.

“There’s a point till which the Government of India can go. We have reached that. Yemen is not like any other part of the world,” the counsel said, according to Live Law. He added that going public with the issue could complicate things, so efforts are being made privately through influential contacts in the region.

Yemen remains diplomatically unrecognized by India as it is largely controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, making formal communication and negotiation extremely difficult. The government further stressed that there is no direct access or transparency regarding the situation inside Yemen.

Despite this, the petitioner urged the Indian government to help facilitate a negotiation between Nimisha’s family and the victim’s relatives under Sharia law, which allows for ‘blood money’ settlements. In this case, Nimisha’s family has reportedly offered ₹8.6 crore to the victim’s family in exchange for a pardon.

However, the Indian government told the court that this process is a private negotiation and not something the government can officially mediate. “Efforts are being made with some Sheikhs and influential people there,” the government stated in court.

Nimisha Priya, a native of Palakkad, Kerala, moved to Yemen in 2011 for work. While her husband and daughter returned to India in 2014 due to financial issues, Nimisha stayed back to support them by running a clinic. She had partnered with a Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi, who later allegedly abused her and withheld her passport.

In a desperate attempt to escape Yemen, Nimisha tried to sedate Mahdi to recover her passport, but he died in the process. She was arrested and, in 2020, sentenced to death for murder.

Currently, Nimisha is held in a prison under Houthi rebel control. The Indian government highlighted its limitations in accessing this territory and stated, “It’s not a matter where the government can be asked to do something beyond… it’s very unfortunate.”

The court recognized the situation but issued no directions. The case has re-listed for a new hearing on July 18, just two days after the execution date.

With time running out, public prayers and public support continues around India, looking for a last-minute rescue to save Nimisha Priya’s life.

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