New Delhi: The Central government on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it has exhausted all possible options to save Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who has been sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni national.
During the hearing of a plea seeking directions to use diplomatic channels to save Priya from execution (Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council v. Union of India), Attorney General (AG) R Venkataramani told a bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that the government has explored all methods, including negotiations, but nothing has worked so far.
The AG submitted, "Negotiating link has also been done. There is a point to which Government of India can go. We have reached it. We also told the public prosecutor if the execution could be suspended. But it has not worked out. Nothing matters to the Yemen government.
"We did not go much public about it. We also got involved with a sheikh influential there, it did not work out. We got an informal communication that execution would be put in abeyance, but we don't know if it will work out. This is not an area where the government can be asked to do something beyond a defined limit."
Justice Mehta observed that the petitioner claims blood money has been arranged.
The AG responded, "But they say it is a question of honour and they don't accept it. We don't know if it changes with more money. But as of now, it is at a standstill."
The petitioner’s lawyer submitted that good samaritans are not able to do anything since it involves Yemen.
The AG replied, "Yes, nothing is happening. The problem is we can't say 'please do it' and they will listen to us."
The petitioner also submitted a willingness to pay a higher blood money amount.
The AG further informed the court that the Joint Secretary, External Affairs, was also present and briefing him.
He added, "There is a communication even at 10:30 am requesting for suspension. But nothing has happened. This may even prove counterproductive. These are highly confidential matters."
After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court said, “We have heard the AG. List on Friday. Let parties inform us the status.”