Indian nurse Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death in Yemen. The Supreme Court has currently stayed the execution. The central government has stated that it is making every effort to bring her back safely.
Nimisha Priya: Indian nurse Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death in Yemen in 2017 in connection with the murder of her business partner. However, the central government has now informed the Supreme Court that her execution has been stayed for the time being. The Supreme Court has also praised the government's efforts and has set the next hearing date for August 14. The Center says it is taking all necessary diplomatic and legal steps to bring Nimisha back safely.
What is the whole matter
38-year-old Nimisha Priya is a nurse from Kerala who went to Yemen for work. There, she started a business with a Yemeni citizen. In 2017, this business partner was murdered, and Nimisha was accused. A Yemeni court sentenced her to death. In 2023, her final appeal was also rejected, which meant her sentence was to be carried out.
Report presented by the Central Government in the Supreme Court
During the hearing in the Supreme Court on Friday, Attorney General R. Venkataramani, on behalf of the Government of India, informed the bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta that the execution has been stayed. He also clarified that the government is making every possible effort to bring Nimisha back and save her life.
Emphasis on blood money and pardon options
The Attorney General informed the court that, according to Yemeni law, if the deceased's family grants a pardon and accepts blood money (the price of blood), the sentence can be reduced or canceled. This is why the government is making diplomatic efforts in this direction. Currently, getting Nimisha pardoned is a priority, so that the option of blood money can be pursued further.
Need for diplomatic efforts
The government also informed the court that this is a sensitive matter, considering the circumstances in Yemen and its laws. The process of blood money is not easy, as it requires the consent of the victim's family. For this, the Government of India is constantly in contact with the Indian mission in Yemen and local authorities.
Next hearing date fixed
Understanding the matter in depth, the Supreme Court has fixed the date of August 14 for the next hearing. The court has directed the central government to ensure Nimisha's safety by using all possible avenues.
Petitioner's side
The petitioner told the court that Nimisha's execution has been postponed for the time being. He also said that the Government of India should show more proactiveness in this matter, so that the life of an Indian citizen can be saved.
Prior to this, Nimisha's mother and family had repeatedly appealed to the Government of India. They had demanded that the government intervene diplomatically to bring their daughter back.
