• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Nimisha Priya Case: The Indian government has assured that it is extending “all possible assistance” to the family of Nimisha Priya, the Kerala nurse facing the death penalty in Yemen. Her execution, originally scheduled for July 16, 2025, has been postponed, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Thursday, as efforts continue to find a resolution to the high-profile case.

During a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The government of India has been offering all possible assistance. We have provided legal assistance and appointed a lawyer to assist the family. We have also arranged regular consular visits and been in constant touch with the local authorities and the family members to resolve the issue.”

He further added that the government had made “concerted efforts in recent days to seek more time for the family of Nimisha Priya to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party.” As a result, Yemeni authorities have deferred her execution.

Calling the case “sensitive,” Jaiswal said the Indian government remains actively engaged. “We continue to closely follow the matter and render all possible assistance. We are also in touch with some friendly governments in this regard,” he added.

When asked about the involvement of Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad (also known as the Grand Mufti of India), who is reportedly mediating in the case, Jaiswal responded, “As far as the role of the entity you mentioned is concerned, I have no information to share.”

ALSO READ: UP Assembly Launches AI Training For MLAs To Enable Smarter Governance, Partners With IIT Kanpur For Implementation

Background: What's Nimisha Priya Execution Case?

Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, was sentenced to death in Yemen in connection with the 2017 death of a Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi. Reports say she allegedly administered a fatal overdose of medicine. Her family has been pursuing a "blood money" settlement, a form of compensation permitted under Yemen’s Sharia law in hopes of securing her release.

ALSO READ: 'Convert Or Face Rape Case': Man Alleges Wife Forced Religious Conversion in Karnataka's Gadag

The execution was halted just a day before it was set to take place on July 16. Though there is no official confirmation on the reason for the delay, AP Aboobacker Musliyar, the Grand Mufti of India, has been credited by some reports with facilitating negotiations that brought temporary relief to Nimisha and her family.

However, there remains a significant hurdle. Abdelfattah Mahdi, the brother of the deceased Yemeni national, has spoken out strongly against any reconciliation or pardon. Under Yemeni law, forgiveness from the victim’s family through a blood money arrangement is the only legal pathway to commute Nimisha’s death sentence. With the victim’s family currently refusing to forgive, her fate hangs in balance.