To this, AG R Venkataramani responded that there is little possibility of anything formal happening at this point stressing that there are so many factors, like “inter-country relations that are involved.”

“It’s not as easy as that. I don’t think the Government would mind giving some permission. But if it doesn’t happen, then why should we get involved, and create a problem where the real issue is not solved? So we will certainly consider that, but don’t put it on record,” he said.

He clarified that he was requesting so “because what happens is a small slip from somewhere, it becomes news.”

“I don’t wish (it) to become counterproductive,” he said.

Basant pointed out that Nimisha Priya’s mother could travel to Yemen because she aproached the Delhi HC which directed the government to grant permission.

“Same way, I’m not asking for a direction. I’m requesting the Government of India. Please give us that permission… I understand. Sending a government representative may be a diplomatic issue. But we can go on her behalf, negotiate and whatever I’m saying, take forgiveness from the family so that something can work out. For any other country, I would have booked a flight. Here, I need the Government to give me that permission. That clause says that the Government of India, for any specific reason, can permit and relax the travel ban. Please relax it for me,” Basant reiterated.

However, Venkataramani stressed that Nimisha Priya’s family should be the only entity involved in the process.

“I would personally advise that her family has engaged a power of attorney. Family is the only, I think, entity which should be concerned with that. We’re not talking about any outsider to get involved in it. Even with the best of intentions,” he said.

“We are concerned about this woman coming out safely. So all that the government wishes to do is being done. We don’t want to share the details at this point. We don’t want something counterproductive to happen. I don’t think it’ll be a different story if an organisation goes there. I don’t think I visualise that,” Venkataramani said.

The petitioner, SNPIAC, had moved the apex court seeking immediate intervention to save Nimisha Priya. The plea made the Central government as the main Respondent, and sought that the apex court should immediately direct the Union to take diplomatic channels to save her.

Priya, who hails from Palakkad in Kerala, was found guilty of murdering Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017 in Yemen. She was apprehended while trying to flee Yemen and sentenced to death in 2018. She was sentenced to death in 2020, and her final appeal was rejected in 2023.

(With inputs from Online Desk)