New Delhi, August 22, 2025:
The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by evangelist Dr. K.A. Paul seeking a short-term media gag order in the case of Nimisha Priya, a Malayali nurse facing the death penalty in Yemen.
A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta directed notice to the Attorney General of India and listed the matter for further hearing on Monday, August 25.
Appearing as party in person, Dr. Paul clarified that his plea was not for a blanket ban, but for a limited restraint until Nimisha’s release. “I am only asking for a three-day or one-week restraint from discussing this matter, as per her request. Let the government speak, but not those individuals who keep making false claims in the media,” he submitted.
The petition contends that excessive media speculation risks obstructing sensitive diplomatic and spiritual negotiations being undertaken by Indian officials, community leaders, and religious figures under the ambit of Yemeni law.
Calling the notice an important step, Dr. Paul said it would help ensure that “justice and national interest are protected.”
Dr. Paul has earlier moved the apex court on other issues, including a petition against betting applications. That matter culminated in Parliament passing a law banning such platforms. Thanking the judiciary and the government for their intervention in that case, Dr. Paul said the legislation would shield Indian youth from the “harmful effects of betting.”
He also reiterated his appeal to film celebrities to desist from endorsing betting platforms, saying such endorsements encourage practices “detrimental to society.”
