Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Palakkad in Kerala, is facing a death sentence in Yemen for her involvement in a murder case. Her execution is scheduled for July 16.
The Indian government informed the Supreme Court on Monday that it has limited options to intervene in the case. A government representative told the court, “nothing much” can be done to prevent Nimisha’s hanging in the foreign country.
Background of the Case
Nimisha Priya, who had gone to Yemen for work as a nurse, was convicted for the murder of a Yemeni citizen in 2017. Reports claim she killed her employer allegedly after being abused and tortured by him. She was later arrested and sentenced to death by Yemeni authorities.
Her family and supporters have been making appeals for clemency. Various petitions have been submitted to the Indian government, urging them to negotiate with Yemen for her release or to pay “blood money” (a form of compensation to the victim’s family as per Islamic law), which could help in avoiding the death penalty.
Government’s Stand in Supreme Court
In the latest hearing, the Indian government made it clear to the Supreme Court that it is powerless under international law to interfere in the internal legal matters of another country, especially one like Yemen, which is currently going through severe political and legal instability.
The representative reiterated that India does not have any legal standing to stop a sovereign nation from carrying out its judicial sentence. “There’s nothing much we can do,” the government lawyer told the court during the hearing.
Family Continues Legal and Diplomatic Efforts
Despite the government’s limited role, Nimisha’s family continues to seek help through diplomatic and humanitarian channels. Activists and legal experts working on her behalf are trying to convince the victim’s family to accept compensation in exchange for dropping the demand for capital punishment.
The Supreme Court is also considering whether it can pass any order that might help delay or prevent the execution through diplomatic outreach or public pressure.
