Execution of Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya Stayed

Execution of Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya Stayed

The Supreme Court has announced that the execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who is on death row in Yemen for murder, has been temporarily stayed. This update was provided during a hearing on October 16, 2025. Attorney General R. Venkataramani, representing the Union government, informed the court that a new mediator has taken charge of the negotiations regarding her case. He stated, "The only good thing is that nothing adverse is happening."

Nimisha Priya, a 38-year-old nurse from Palakkad, Kerala, was convicted in 2017 for the murder of her Yemeni business partner and sentenced to death in 2020. Her final appeal was dismissed in 2023, and she has since been imprisoned in Sana’a, Yemen's capital. The Supreme Court was hearing a plea from the ‘Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council’, which is advocating for her release.

During the proceedings, the petitioner's counsel confirmed that the execution has been stayed for now and requested an adjournment of the case. The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 2026, allowing either party to request an earlier hearing if necessary.

Priya's mother has traveled to Yemen to negotiate with the victim's family, seeking to explore the possibility of paying "blood money" under Sharia law, which could potentially lead to a pardon. The Indian government has been in communication with Yemeni authorities and other friendly nations to find a mutually agreeable solution for Priya's release. Her case has garnered significant attention from human rights activists and the Indian diaspora, with ongoing efforts to secure her freedom through diplomatic channels.