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Government to SC: Only Family Should Negotiate
The Government of India has informed the Supreme Court that the responsibility for securing clemency for Nimisha Priya in Yemen should lie solely with her family. The Centre made it clear that no outside party, including community leaders or social organisations, should interfere in the sensitive diplomatic matter.
Attorney General R Venkataramani, representing the Union Government, stated that the process of negotiation in this case must be led entirely by Priya’s family members and their authorised legal representative. The government stressed that any third-party intervention might complicate ongoing efforts and diplomatic understandings.
Execution Delayed After Family Intervention
Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, was convicted in Yemen for the 2017 murder of a Yemeni national. She was sentenced to death in 2020, and her final appeal was rejected in 2023. Her execution was initially set for July 16, but it has been temporarily postponed following intervention by Yemeni clerics and diplomatic backchannel efforts.
The delay has opened a small window for the family to seek a settlement through the Islamic practice of diyā, or blood money, which could lead to a pardon if the victim’s family accepts compensation.
Grand Mufti’s Role Sparks Legal Response
Earlier, Grand Mufti Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musaliyar had publicly claimed that his outreach to Yemeni religious leaders had helped pause the execution. The Centre, however, clarified to the Court that while his intentions may have been positive, the legal and diplomatic process should remain strictly within the family’s control.
Legal Path Narrow, But Still Open
The Supreme Court acknowledged the complexity of the case, especially since Yemen remains in a politically volatile state under Houthi control. The government told the court that it has extended all possible support through diplomatic means but can only act within the boundaries of local law and customs in Yemen.
The case now hinges on whether Nimisha Priya’s family can successfully negotiate a diyā settlement with the victim’s relatives. The family has already appointed a representative in Yemen and continues to engage in talks.
Court to Monitor Progress
The Supreme Court will continue hearing the matter and review the family’s progress in upcoming proceedings. For now, the government has reiterated its commitment to supporting the family’s efforts but warned all parties to avoid any public or private interference that could jeopardise the delicate negotiations.
