- By Nidhi Giri
- Fri, 11 Jul 2025 03:55 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Nimisha Priya Case: As the day for Nimisha Priya’s execution nears, the nurse from Kerala’s Palakkad may still have a lifeline - ‘Diyah’ or blood money. The nurse is scheduled to be hanged on July 16, 2025 in Yemen’s capital Sanaa after she was found guilty of murdering a Yemeni citizen, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in 2017. The case has been mired with diplomatic and legal complexities and despite the efforts of the Indian government, no positive result has been achieved so far.
What Is ‘Blood Money’ Or ‘Diyah’ ?
The last-resort to avert the execution is ‘diyah’. According to Islamic Sharia law, a victim of a crime or their family can choose to forgive the perpetrator for monetary compensation. This ‘blood money’ or ‘diyah’ is a pardon for the person who committed a crime, securing their release. However, the call now has to be made entirely by Mahdi’s relatives. However, the call now has to be made entirely by Mahdi’s relatives.
“If he (the victim) be of a people hostile unto you, and he is a believer, then (the penance is) to set free a believing slave. And if he cometh of a folk between whom and you there is a covenant, then the 'diyah' must be paid unto his folk and (also) a believing slave must be set free. And whoso hath not the wherewithal must fast two consecutive months,” says the Quranic verse Surah Al-Baqarah (2:178).
The amount under ‘diyah’ is negotiable and is decided on the basis of family’s stance, nature of crime, and local customs. Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council has made an offer of USD 1 million (approx Rs 8.5 crore) to the victim’s family.
Nimish Priya’s Husband Hopeful Of Positive Response
"I am in contact with Nimisha. It is possible to send text and voice messages to her. I met the Governor yesterday, who offered all support to Nimisha's mother through video conferencing. The Central government, State government and the MEA have been making efforts, and we expect a positive response. Our advocate is doing everything possible,” Nimisha's husband, Tomy Thomas said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
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Who Is Nimisha Priya?
Nimisha Priya went to Yemen in 2008, with her husband and daughter to provide financial support to her aging parents. But in 2014, her husband and daughter returned to India but she stayed back to support her family financially. After working in several hospitals Nimisha decided to open a clinic in 2014, but according to Yemeni laws, foreign nationals need a local partner to set up their business. Adhering to this rule, she partnered with a Yemeni citizen, Talal Abdo Mahdi, to run her clinic.
All About Nimisha Priya Case
Nimisha has been convicted of murdering her business partner and is serving her sentence in Sanaa prison. Nimisha had partnered with Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2016, to open a clinic. She later alleged that Abdo Mahdi claimed to be married to her and had forged the marriage documents. He harassed her sexually and mentally, and snatched her passport, holding her hostage. In 2017, Nimisha planned to flee to India. She tried to get her passport back after administering sedatives to Mahdi. However, an overdose led to Mahdi’s death. After this, with the help of a local woman, Hanan, they cut the body into pieces and hid him in a water tank.
She was found guilty of murder in 2018, following which a trial court ordered Nimisha Priya's death sentence in 2020. The sentence was confirmed by Yemen's Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023. The same year, Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi also gave his final approval to it. Although Yemeni law provides for amnesty through "diya", attempts to reach a settlement with the victim's family in September 2024 also failed.
