New Delhi, July18,2025: In a high-stakes international case, India is actively working to save Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, who faces the death penalty in Yemen. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed it is in contact with the local administration in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, to secure a resolution.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the media on Thursday, stating that India is also reaching out to friendly nations that have influence over Houthi authorities, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and other nearby countries.
“This is a sensitive matter. The Indian government is providing all possible support. Legal assistance has been arranged, and a lawyer has been appointed for the family. We are also coordinating with local authorities to seek more time for her,” said Jaiswal.
However, challenges persist due to India’s limited diplomatic presence in Yemen. Reports from Arabic and Gulf media outlets highlight that India does not officially recognize the Houthi regime, making direct negotiations complicated.
Execution Deferred Amid Religious and Diplomatic Outreach
Nimisha Priya was initially scheduled to be executed on July 16, 2025, following a 2020 conviction in a 2017 murder case involving her Yemeni business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi. However, efforts by religious leaders appear to have momentarily delayed the execution.
The Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, an advocacy group supporting her cause, revealed that Kerala’s respected Grand Mufti A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar intervened in the case. He reportedly reached out to key tribal and religious leaders in Yemen, which led to a postponement of the execution just hours before it was scheduled.
This outreach is believed to have bought crucial time for further negotiations.
Legal and Financial Obstacles Remain
According to her lawyers, Nimisha was convicted of murdering her Yemeni partner, whose dismembered body was discovered in a water tank. Both had been running a medical clinic together in Sanaa.
Nimisha’s legal team had warned that the execution was set for July 16, creating urgency for intervention. Reports from Arabic news outlet Al-Yemen Al-Ghad noted that under Yemeni Sharia law, her family offered $1 million as “blood money” to the victim’s relatives. However, the offer was rejected, and no settlement was reached.
In a social media post, the victim’s brother Abdul Fattah Mahdi declared that their stance remains unchanged. He stated, “The criminal must be punished no matter what,” indicating that reconciliation may remain elusive.
India’s Limited Leverage in Yemen
According to a report by Gulf News, India faces significant hurdles because of its minimal diplomatic footprint in Yemen. Without official ties to the Houthi-led government, India has little leverage and must rely on unofficial channels, such as influential tribal leaders and regional intermediaries.
The report also highlighted that India’s Grand Mufti’s intervention was a key move, delaying the sentence in the final moments. But the threat remains high as no permanent solution has been reached.
What’s Next?
The Indian government continues its diplomatic push while coordinating closely with Nimisha’s family and legal representatives. Officials are urging patience, emphasizing that all available legal and diplomatic tools are being employed to save her life.
With time running out, this case highlights the complex interplay between international diplomacy, religious influence, and legal systems in conflict zones. Nimisha Priya’s fate now hangs in the balance, as India navigates uncharted diplomatic waters to secure justice — or mercy.
