Nimisha Priya: Supreme Court Dismisses Dr KA Paul’s Plea for Media Gag
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a PIL filed by activist Dr. KA Paul seeking a media gag order in the case concerning Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya, who is facing the death penalty in Yemen for an alleged murder.
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 heard the matter along with another plea urging the Centre to take diplomatic action to save the Indian national.
Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani, who was present in court, cautioned against further media reports until the matter reached a final resolution, terming it sensitive.
Appearing in person, Dr. KA Paul argued that Article 21 of the Constitution guaranteed the right to life of Nimisha Priya, an Indian citizen, and sought directions restraining anyone other than the Government of India from making media statements.
Justice Nath questioned Paul on what more he expected, given that the Attorney General had already assured no official briefings would be made.
Justice Mehta remarked that the Court lacked jurisdiction over Yemen and saw no reason to entertain the plea.
The Bench clarified it could not issue a notice declaring Paul as the sole voice on the matter and proceeded to dismiss the petition as withdrawn.
Meanwhile, counsel for the Nimisha Priya International Action Council, comprising retired judges, MPs and MLAs, expressed gratitude to the Court, Centre and Attorney General for the stay on her imminent execution. He clarified that despite a tweet seeking contributions, the Council had decided not to collect funds until pardon was granted, citing the sensitivity of the matter.
As the hearing concluded, Paul stated that if anything were to happen to Nimisha Priya, he would not be held responsible.
Notably, on August 22, the Court had issued notice to the Attorney General, in the PIL.
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 and Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council v. UOI & Ors.
Hearing Date: August 25, 2025
Bench: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta