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Death Sentence of Nimisha Priya Not Officially Revoked
The reported cancellation of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya’s death sentence in Yemen has stirred confusion, with official confirmation still pending. While the Grand Mufti’s office in India claimed her sentence had been completely revoked following discussions with Yemeni religious authorities, the Indian government has firmly denied receiving any formal confirmation from Yemen.
Background of the Case
Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala, was convicted in Yemen for the 2017 killing of her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi. She had reportedly attempted to retrieve her passport from him by sedating him, which led to his death. After being convicted in 2020, her appeals were rejected in 2023. The execution was initially scheduled for July 16, 2025, but was stayed at the last moment, reportedly due to diplomatic and humanitarian interventions.
No Written Confirmation from Yemen
Although the Grand Mufti’s office stated that her death sentence was cancelled after a meeting in Sana’a, it also admitted that it had not received any official document from Yemeni authorities confirming the decision. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has made it clear that no such confirmation has come from Yemen, and the death sentence remains legally in place as of now.
Diplomatic Efforts and Next Steps
The Indian government is continuing to provide legal and diplomatic assistance to Priya and her family. Discussions with Yemeni authorities and intermediaries are ongoing. One possible route for resolution is through “blood money” (diyah), but key members of the victim’s family reportedly remain opposed to a pardon.
Human rights groups and several religious leaders are pressing for clemency, and efforts are underway to send a delegation to Yemen to negotiate with the victim’s family. However, logistical and political challenges continue to delay any direct dialogue.
