Supreme Court Defers Betting Apps Hearing; Dr. K. A. Paul Warns Delay Is Costing Young Lives

New Delhi, August 18, 2025

The Supreme Court’s decision to postpone the much-anticipated betting apps hearing has triggered outrage, with Dr. K. A. Paul urging immediate judicial intervention amid rising suicides and family tragedies linked to online betting.

Dr. K. A. Paul expressed concern over the delay, pointing out that every day’s inaction is costing young Indian lives. “It was the Court itself that graciously fixed August 18 as the date for interim orders to ban betting apps and pass the matter to the central government. Now, with the sudden rescheduling, more families continue to suffer. Just in the last few days, three young men have died by suicide, one youth killed his own father over betting money, and another man left behind young daughter. How many more must die before decisive action is taken?” Dr. Paul asked.

The tragic case of young Suresh was also highlighted. He had written a desperate letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging an immediate ban on betting apps before taking his own life, leaving behind his six-year-old daughter.

“These apps are destroying the future of millions. Nearly 300 million youth are being lured by celebrities, cricketers, and actors promoting such illegal platforms. Families are being pushed into economic ruin, yet action is delayed. The Supreme Court’s urgency must match the urgency on the ground,” Dr. Paul added.

Alongside this, Dr. Paul has filed a petition seeking a gag order in the case of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, facing execution in Yemen. He revealed receiving a shocking letter from Nimisha in prison, co-signed by her mother and her official power of attorney holder, Mr. Samuel Jerome who is authorized by the Indian Government warning that false reports and fabricated claims have led to renewed demands for her immediate execution by victim Abdul Fateh—possibly as early as 20th August .

“This is the third time such a demand has been made. We had secured an extension in July, but fresh false claims are once again putting Nimisha’s life at risk. These reports have nothing to do with Nimisha or Abdul Fateh, yet they are being weaponised. The Court must urgently intervene, just as it issued gag orders in other sensitive matters, to prevent a gross miscarriage of justice,” Dr. Paul said.

He concluded by stressing that both issues—the betting app menace and the Nimisha Priya case—are of national importance: “The Court fixed August 18. Now it has pushed the matter to tomorrow. I hope this time the Hon’ble Supreme Court will act decisively to save thousands of Indian youth from deadly betting platforms and to save an innocent Indian nurse from wrongful execution.”