Nimisha Priya’s Death Sentence in Yemen: Top Indian legal voices urge govt to take strong action

New Delhi: The government of India has intensified its efforts to assist Nimisha Priya, an Indian national currently on death row in Yemen.

Priya, a nurse from Kerala, was arrested in 2017 and was sentenced to death in 2020 by a Yemeni court for her involvement in the murder of a Yemeni citizen.

Recently, Yemen president Rashad al-Alimi has signed off on her death sentence.

This has sparked concern among legal luminaries in India. The Supreme Court of India’s Senior Advocate Pinky Anand criticised the death sentence for Priya and asked the Government of India to consider approaching the International Court of Justice.

In an exclusive conversation with iTV Network, Anand said: ‘Death sentence to Priya in the unfortunate tragic terrorised circumstances that too after a protracted trial is unwarranted.’

Anand said that the factum of blood money option which could not fructify in such circumstances, executive clemency should have been exercised.

Anand further said that Priya has already suffered incarceration for a lengthy period and suggested the government approach ICJ.

On the other hand, the Supreme Court Senior Advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani highlighted the complexities of strict legal systems in such nations, noting that the death penalty in Yemen is imposed for a range of offenses, including murder, adultery among others.

Pavani said, ‘The Indian government must step in to ensure the safety of its citizens abroad.’

She also pointed out that many Indian nationals in Gulf countries, are exposed to bonded labour, and are subject to harsh legal consequences, including death sentences.

She said, ‘The Ministry of External Affairs needs to be proactive in safeguarding its women citizens abroad.’

Pavani said that women from regions like Haryana, Punjab and Kerala are lured abroad and subject to forced labour.

She said: ‘There needs to be a reliable helpline for Indian women, especially those working in Gulf countries. They are often trapped in abusive situations.’