Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya faces execution in Yemen on July 16. Learn why India’s diplomatic efforts are limited, the role of Sharia law, and the complexities of her case.
New Delhi/Sana’a — With just two days left before the scheduled execution of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen, the Indian government has told the Supreme Court that it has “exhausted all diplomatic channels” and that there is now a limit to what it can do. The case, which has drawn national and international attention, highlights the complex interplay of foreign diplomacy, Islamic law, and human rights.
Who is Nimisha Priya and Why Was She Sentenced to Death?
Nimisha Priya, a trained nurse from Kerala’s Palakkad district, went to Yemen in 2008 for better job opportunities. In 2011, she entered into a business partnership with a Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi, to open a clinic. However, the partnership soon turned abusive. Reports suggest Mahdi confiscated her passport and subjected her to repeated physical abuse.
In July 2017, in a desperate attempt to retrieve her passport and flee the country, Nimisha reportedly injected Mahdi with a sedative (ketamine), leading to his accidental death. His dismembered body was later discovered in a water tank. She was arrested and convicted of murder by a Yemeni court, which sentenced her to death in 2020 — a ruling upheld in 2023 by Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council.
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What is Stopping India from Saving Her?
The Indian government, while deeply concerned, has told the Supreme Court that its hands are tied due to multiple factors:
- No Diplomatic Access in Sana’a
The capital city of Sana’a, where Nimisha is held, is under the control of the Houthi rebels, a group not internationally recognized and with whom India has no formal diplomatic relations. India’s embassy in Yemen is non-functional due to the ongoing civil war since 2015. This makes direct governmental intervention nearly impossible. - Legal System Based on Sharia Law
Yemen follows Sharia law, which allows for two options in murder cases: qisas (execution) or diyya (blood money). The victim’s family has the final say. In Nimisha’s case, the family of Mahdi has refused to accept blood money, reportedly demanding over $1 million USD but later rejecting the offer due to “honour and justice.” - Private Nature of Blood Money Negotiations
The Indian government has emphasized that negotiating diyya is a private legal matter between the convict’s family and the victim’s kin. As per international law and Yemen’s legal norms, the Indian state cannot force or mediate this agreement. - No Legal Recourse Left
With all legal appeals in Yemen exhausted and the execution scheduled for July 16, the only remaining option is for Mahdi’s family to forgive Nimisha — a prospect that now appears unlikely.
Supreme Court Proceedings in India
On Friday, the Supreme Court of India took up a petition filed by Nimisha Priya’s mother and activist groups urging the Indian government to take urgent diplomatic steps to halt the execution. However, Attorney General R. Venkataramani told the court that the government has done everything within its power.
“It is a very unfortunate case, but there is a limit to what the Indian government can do under current circumstances,” he stated.
The court acknowledged the complexities but scheduled the next hearing for July 18 — two days after the scheduled execution — prompting concern among activists and legal experts.
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The Role of Civil Society and Public Appeals
Several human rights organizations, including Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, have been campaigning to save her. They’ve raised funds for blood money, urged public petitions, and appealed to Yemeni tribal leaders to intervene. However, these efforts have failed to change the stance of the victim’s family.
Nimisha’s mother has also issued a heartfelt plea for mercy, stating:
“My daughter made a mistake, but she doesn’t deserve to die for it. We are ready to beg for forgiveness.”
Conclusion: A Diplomatic Dead-End
The case of Nimisha Priya underscores the tragic consequences when a citizen is caught in a foreign legal system amid war, sectarian divisions, and limited diplomatic reach. It also reveals how India’s global diplomacy has blind spots, especially in conflict zones.
With less than 48 hours remaining, unless a last-minute mercy appeal is accepted by the victim’s family or an unexpected intervention occurs, India may be forced to watch helplessly as one of its own faces the gallows in a foreign land.