Government tells SC there's ‘nothing much’ it can do to halt execution of Kerala Nurse Nimisha Priya
New Delhi: With just two days remaining before the scheduled execution of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen, the Government of India informed the Supreme Court on Monday that there is little it can do to intervene in the matter, given the absence of diplomatic ties with the war-torn country.
Attorney General R Venkataramani, representing the Centre, told the apex court that “there's nothing much the government can do,” citing the political sensitivity of Yemen and its current geopolitical status. “Yemen is not diplomatically recognized, and the situation is extremely delicate,” he added, as quoted by Live Law.
Despite these limitations, the government stated that it is continuing efforts to save Nimisha Priya through unofficial or private diplomatic channels. “We have tried everything possible. Going public would have only complicated the matter,” the AG said. “There’s a point up to which the Indian government can go. We have reached that point.”
Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old nurse from Palakkad district in Kerala, has been sentenced to death by a Yemeni court over the alleged murder of a local national, Talal Abdo Mahdi. Her execution is scheduled for July 16.
According to reports, Priya moved to Yemen with her family in 2011 for work. While her husband and daughter returned to India in 2014 due to financial difficulties, she stayed behind and eventually opened a clinic in partnership with Mahdi.
However, the relationship reportedly turned abusive. Mahdi allegedly physically assaulted her, confiscated her passport, and threatened her regularly. In an attempt to retrieve her passport and escape the country, Priya tried to sedate Mahdi, but the dose allegedly turned fatal, leading to his death.
Since her conviction in 2020, Nimisha Priya has been lodged in a prison controlled by Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran. India has no formal diplomatic relations with the Houthi authorities, further complicating direct intervention.
Expressing helplessness, the government said it does not have access to developments within the region. “It’s not a matter where the court can direct the government to act beyond its capacity,” said the government counsel. “It's very unfortunate.”
With the execution date looming, last-minute efforts by activists, legal groups, and Nimisha’s family continue, but the window for official intervention is rapidly closing.
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Netanyahu defends expanded Gaza offfensive; Israeli strike kills five Al Jazeera journalists
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Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended a fresh military offensive in the Gaza Strip, calling it “more sweeping than previously announced” and asserting that Israel “has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.”
Speaking amid mounting condemnation at home and abroad over the 22-month conflict, Netanyahu said the security cabinet had directed the dismantling of Hamas strongholds not only in Gaza City but also in the “central camps” and Muwasi. These areas, according to UN estimates, shelter more than half a million displaced people and had not been mentioned in Israel’s earlier announcement on Friday.
A source familiar with the operation, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Israel’s plans to extend military action to both areas. Netanyahu maintained that “safe zones” would be established, though such areas have been bombed in previous strikes.
The announcement came as heavy bombardment was reported in Gaza City late Sunday. Shortly before midnight, Al Jazeera confirmed the killing of its correspondent Anas al-Sharif in a targeted Israeli strike. The attack hit a tent for Al Jazeera journalists outside the main gate of al-Shifa Hospital, an area known for hosting medical personnel.
Shifa Hospital’s administrative director, Rami Mohanna, said the strike killed five Al Jazeera journalists, including Sharif, whom Israel accused of leading a Hamas cell responsible for orchestrating rocket attacks. Sharif was killed moments after posting a video showing intense bombardment in Gaza City.
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