Nimisha Priya: SC Issues Notice to Attorney General on Plea for Media Gag
Supreme Court issued notice on KA Paul’s plea for a media gag in Nimisha Priya’s Yemen death row case; execution stayed but concerns over false claims and delicate negotiations continue.;
The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on a public interest litigation (PIL) by Dr. K.A Paul seeking a media gag order in the case of Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya, who is facing the death penalty in Yemen.
Priya, convicted by a Yemeni court, was scheduled for execution on July 16, 2025. Her execution was stayed on July 15 until further orders.
The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta was hearing the plea filed by an activist KA Paul, appearing in person.
Paul urged the Court to restrain individuals from making public statements on the case, claiming that “delicate negotiations” were in progress in Yemen. He specifically named Advocate Subhash Chandran, his associates, and a person identified as Kanchapuram, alleging that they were “falsely claiming” to have made payments or entered into negotiations.
“I have never met them, I have nothing to do with them, and I have not received a dollar from them,” Paul submitted, warning that Nimisha Priya could be executed on August 24 or 25. “I only seek a 3-day bar on discussing this case,” he added.
The Bench has issued notice to the Attorney General of India and posted the matter for hearing on August 25, when it will decide on the plea for a temporary gag order.
In a related news, the Supreme Court had on August 14, adjourned by eight weeks the hearing of a PIL filed by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council concerning Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who faces a death sentence in Yemen. Granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the Court in case of urgency, the Bench had posted the matter for hearing after eight weeks.
Pertinently, on July 18, the Apex Court had permitted the petitioner in a PIL to file a representation before the Union Government seeking diplomatic intervention to save the Indian nurse, who is facing execution in Yemen. At the outset, Attorney General R Venkataramani had apprised the Court that efforts were ongoing and requested adjournment. “Let it be put for some other day so that we know in the meanwhile…” he had submitted.
Senior Advocate R. Basant appearing for the petitioner had informed the Court that the temporary stay on Priya’s execution was secured with the help of various stakeholders. He added that the next crucial step is to secure forgiveness from the victim’s family, a precondition for initiating negotiations on the payment of diyah (blood money) under Yemeni law. The Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner had pointed out that a travel ban was currently in place and only the Government of India could grant special permission for individuals to travel to Yemen for these negotiations.The Bench had however, refrained from issuing any directions and asked the petitioner to approach the Government directly.
The Attorney General had cautioned against any immediate intervention, stating, “There are so many diplomatic, inter-country relationships involved… Why should we get involved and create a problem when the real issue is solved?” While declining to pass any formal order, the Court had allowed the petitioner to make a representation to the Government, which may consider the request on its own merits.
Importantly, on July 15, the execution of Priya convicted in Case No. 68 of 2018 by a Saudi criminal court, had been officially postponed. In a formal communication addressed to the Director of the Central Correctional Facility, authorities had conveyed that the postponement was issued based on directions from the Attorney General.
Recently, Kerala Chief Minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, seeking urgent intervention to save the life of Nimisha Priya Tomy Thomas, an Indian national facing execution in Yemen. The CM had stressed that the case deserves "sympathy and intervention at the highest level."
Case Title: Dr. KA Paul@ Kilari Anand Paul v. Union of India
Hearing Date: August 22, 2025
Bench: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta