Nimisha Priya: SC notes Ongoing Negotiations to secure Victim’s Family’s Forgiveness, allows urgent Mentioning

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 informed by Advocate K.R. Subhash Chandran that negotiations in the matter are currently underway.

Granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the Court in case of urgency, the Bench 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 had appearing for the petitioner, 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.