Fri Jul 18 06:52:43 UTC 2025: ## News Article: Indian Court Urges Government to Consider Plea to Save Nurse on Death Row in Yemen

**NEW DELHI – July 18, 2025** – The Supreme Court of India has urged the central government to consider a representation made by the International Action Council, a group advocating for the life of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse facing execution in Yemen for murder. The court has requested the government to evaluate the possibility of granting permission for representatives from the Council, along with government officials and a religious leader, to travel to Yemen and negotiate for her pardon and the payment of blood money to the victim’s family.

Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death in 2020 for the murder of her business partner. While her execution was initially scheduled for July 16th, it has been postponed due to ongoing efforts by the Indian government and Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, a respected Kerala-based scholar.

During the hearing, Attorney-General R. Venkataramani assured the court that the government is prioritizing Nimisha Priya’s safe return and is actively pursuing all available avenues. He cautioned against actions that could potentially be counterproductive, highlighting the complex diplomatic and inter-country relations involved.

Senior advocate Ragenth Basant, representing the International Action Council, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the nurse’s mother, a domestic worker currently in Yemen, is unable to effectively negotiate with the victim’s family alone. He proposed a joint delegation to facilitate dialogue and secure a pardon.

While acknowledging the complexities, Justice Mehta clarified that the suggestion of a joint delegation was not a formal directive, but rather a potential avenue for exploration. The court has listed the case for further hearing on August 14th, leaving the decision regarding travel permission firmly in the government’s hands.

The case has drawn considerable attention in India, with many advocating for the nurse’s release. The petition highlighted the difficult circumstances faced by Nimisha Priya’s family, including her 12-year-old daughter living in a convent and her husband working as an autorickshaw driver. The government maintains its commitment to securing her safe return while navigating the sensitive diplomatic landscape.

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