Nimisha Priya death row: Plea in Supreme Court seeking Centres diplomatic outreach to save her from execution
The plea was moved by the organisation named Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council that urged the central government to open diplomatic channels and facilitate negotiations to pay “blood money."
PTC News Desk: With barely six days left for the execution of nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen, a public interest litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court to direct the Cenrral government to make last-ditch diplomatic efforts to save Nimisha who is slated for execution on July 16.
The plea was moved by the organisation named Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council that urged the central government to open diplomatic channels and facilitate negotiations to pay “blood money”, a legal provision under Shariah law allowing the victim’s family to pardon the convict in exchange for compensation.
Senior Advocate Ragenth Basant, appearing for the petitioner, mentioned the matter before a bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi on Thursday, stressing the urgency of the situation given the fast-approaching execution date. The bench agreed to hear the matter on Friday.
Earlier the bench suggested the matter to be heard on Monday, however the councel requested an earlier listing, citing the time required for diplomatic processes.
Nimisha Priya has been sentenced to death for allegedly murdering Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017. With an intention to make him unconscious, she injected him sedatives to get her passport, however he succumbed to the overdose.
Earlier, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We are aware of the sentencing of Nimisha Priya in Yemen. We understand that the family of Priya is exploring relevant options. The government is extending all possible help."