The fate of Nimisha Priya, a 38-year-old Kerala nurse on death row in Yemen, remains uncertain after conflicting reports emerged about her case.
On Monday, July 28, the office of India’s Grand Mufti claimed her death sentence had been “completely cancelled.” But the next day, sources from India’s Ministry of External Affairs called these reports “inaccurate.”
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This back-and-forth has left her family and supporters unsure about what’s really happening.
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What’s the Latest?
Information being circulated by certain individuals regarding the Nimisha Priya case is inaccurate and does not reflect the current status of the matter, sources revealed on Tuesday, according to MEA officials.
The confusion started when Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, known as the “Grand Mufti of India,” announced that high-level talks in Yemen had led to her sentence being overturned.
But government sources quickly pushed back, saying this wasn’t true.
Her Daughter’s Emotional Appeal
Meanwhile, Nimisha’s 13-year-old daughter Michelle arrived in Yemen on Monday with her father Tommy Thomas. She made a heartbreaking plea for her mother’s life.
“I love my mother very much. I miss her. Please help bring her back,” the teenager said in both Malayalam and English.
Michelle hasn’t seen her mother in over a decade. The family has been torn apart by this case.
The Victim’s Family Says No
Here’s the big problem: the victim’s family isn’t budging.
Abdul Fattah Mahdi, brother of the murdered Yemeni businessman, has publicly rejected any talk of pardoning Nimisha. He posted on Facebook that his family wants her executed and hasn’t agreed to any deals.
“Which Yemeni organisation did they speak to?” he asked, questioning the legitimacy of the reported negotiations.
What Actually Happened?
Back in 2017, Nimisha was working as a nurse in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. She had a business partnership with Talal Abdo Mahdi to run a medical clinic.
But things went wrong. According to Nimisha, Mahdi was harassing her, controlling her money, and wouldn’t give back her passport so she could return to India.
In July 2017, she tried to drug him with sedatives to get her passport back. The dose was too strong and he died.
She was arrested a month later while trying to cross into Saudi Arabia. A Yemen court sentenced her to death in 2020.
The Execution That Didn’t Happen
The 38-year-old Indian national’s execution was scheduled for July 16, but it was postponed following intervention of Indian officials.
Religious leaders, diplomats, and activists all worked together to get this temporary reprieve. But it’s just that – temporary.
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Why This Case Is So Complicated
Yemen is in the middle of a civil war. The country is split between different groups, and India doesn’t have formal diplomatic ties with the Houthi rebels who control Sanaa, where Nimisha is imprisoned.
This makes normal diplomacy nearly impossible. That’s why religious leaders like the Grand Mufti have been trying to help through their own connections.
The Family’s Struggle
Nimisha’s mother, Prema Kumari, sold her house to pay for legal fees. She’s been living in Yemen for over a year, trying to help her daughter.
Her husband works as an auto-rickshaw driver and daily laborer. The family is drowning in debt from trying to save Nimisha.
What Happens Next?
Right now, nobody knows for sure what’s going on. The Indian government says it’s doing everything it can through diplomatic channels.
The only real option left might be “blood money” – paying compensation to the victim’s family under Islamic law. Supporters have reportedly raised $1 million for this purpose.
But the victim’s family has refused this so far, demanding execution instead.
Read more: 26-Year-Old Indian Woman Found Murdered in Dubai Apartment; Suspect Arrested
A Mother’s Fight for Life
This isn’t just a diplomatic story. It’s about a mother who might never see her daughter again, and a 13-year-old girl who’s grown up without her mom.
For now, Nimisha Priya remains in prison in Sanaa, her life hanging delicately between justice and mercy.
The case highlights how complicated it can be for India to protect its citizens abroad, especially in war zones where normal diplomatic rules don’t apply.
As negotiations continue behind closed doors, one thing is clear: time is running out for Nimisha Priya and her family.
This is a developing story. We’ll update as more information becomes available.
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