The execution of Nimisha Priya is reportedly scheduled for July 16. The family of the Kerala nurse, who has been convicted in Yemen, continues to hold on to hope that a miracle may still happen. She is facing capital punishment for the killing of a Yemeni national.
At this stage, even the smallest ray of hope offers some relief to the family, as the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea on July 14 (Monday), filed by Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council. The petition urges the central government to step in urgently and initiate diplomatic talks with Yemen to halt the execution. Will the Indian government intervene? What options remain to save Nimisha Priya from Yemen’s death penalty? Here’s an overview.
Indian Government’s Intervention
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) through its diplomatic channels can negotiate with Yemeni authorities, particularly the Houthi-controlled administration in Sana’a, where Priya is imprisoned. Although India lacks formal diplomatic ties with the Houthis, it could leverage intermediaries like tribal leaders or regional allies to facilitate dialogue, given India’s strong relations with Iran and other Muslim countries connected to the Houthis. However, India lacks an embassy in Yemen, complicating direct diplomatic intervention. The ongoing civil war in Yemen has significantly restricted access for foreign missions and hindered communication.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear Save Nimisha Priya- International Action Council’s petition seeking strong intervention by the central government in the case. A Bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi has directed the organisation, represented by senior advocate Raghenth Basant and advocate Subhash Chandran KR, to serve an advance copy of the plea to the Attorney General of India’s office. The plea urges the Government of India to undertake diplomatic efforts to protect her from capital punishment.
‘Diyat’ Option Under Sharia Law
Another ray of hope is on the ‘Diyat’ option under Sharia Law. Diyat is also known as Diyyah, is a concept in Islamic law (Sharia) that refers to financial compensation paid to the family of a victim in cases of murder, manslaughter, or bodily harm. It serves as a form of blood money, allowing the victim’s family to forgive the offender and potentially waive or reduce punishments like execution or imprisonment. Diyat could be an option if her family successfully negotiates with the victim’s family to accept compensation, potentially sparing her from execution.
The Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council has already raised $40,000 toward this, but negotiations have stalled due to the ongoing civil war and lack of direct communication with the victim’s family.
According to unverified reports, offers were made for the release of Nimisha Priya. It includes a $1 million bounty, free cerebral spinal surgery for five people nominated by Talal’s family, and a place for Talal’s brother to work and live in Saudi Arabia or the UAE. However, the family of the murdered Talal did not respond to these offers.
Nimisha’s Story
Nimisha Priya moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her family and opened a clinic in 2015 with Yemeni citizen Talal Abdo Mehdi as her sponsor. Their professional relationship deteriorated, with Priya accusing Mehdi of misappropriating clinic funds, confiscating her passport, and subjecting her to ongoing harassment and abuse. However, documents also said that Nimisha was married to Talal.
In 2017, attempting to retrieve her documents, including her passport and escape, she sedated Mehdi. It led to his death. Nimisha told the court she killed Talal by administering anaesthesia after he threatened her life, and with her colleague Hanan, dismembered and disposed of his body in a reservoir. After fleeing to another hospital 200 km away, she was arrested following a tip from hospital authorities and has been imprisoned in Sana’a since 2017. She was sentenced to death in 2020. The Save Nimisha Priya Action Council has since campaigned for her release, pursuing legal appeals and negotiating diyat (blood money) to seek a pardon from Mehdi’s family, as permitted under Yemeni law.
