Nimisha Priya case: Execution of Kerala Nurse in Yemen Postponed, SC Informed

The Supreme Court was informed on Friday that the execution of Nimisha Priya, a 38-year-old nurse from Kerala’s Palakkad district, convicted of murder in Yemen, has been postponed. Originally scheduled for July 16, 2025, the execution was stayed following diplomatic efforts by the Indian government, Attorney General R. Venkataramani told Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta.

Priya, imprisoned in Sana’a’s central jail since 2018, was sentenced to death in 2020 for the 2017 murder of her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, after allegedly administering a fatal sedative overdose to retrieve her passport. Her appeal was rejected by Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council in 2023.

Venkataramani emphasized the government’s commitment to securing Priya’s safe return, noting ongoing negotiations with Yemeni authorities despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties with the Houthi-controlled region. The petitioner’s counsel, representing the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, highlighted that securing a pardon from Mahdi’s family is crucial before negotiating “blood money” (diyah) under Sharia law.

Also Read: Faith and Frenzy: Nimisha Priya’s Execution Halted in Yemen

The court adjourned the matter to August 14, 2025, for further updates, as Priya’s family and supporters continue efforts to raise funds and negotiate clemency.

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