Hope for Nimisha Priya? Final plea to save Kerala nurse before Yemen execution

With just hours left before the scheduled execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen, urgent and multi-pronged efforts are being made at diplomatic, legal, and humanitarian levels to save her life.

Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old from Palakkad, Kerala, is set to be executed on July 16 for the 2017 murder of her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mehdi.

While she was convicted and sentenced to death under Yemen's legal system, the only remaining chance for clemency lies in a pardon from the victim’s family under Sharia law.

Emergency talks are taking place in northern Yemen, led by respected Sufi scholar Shaikh Habeeb Ummer. His representative, Habeeb Abdurahman Ali Mashhour, is in direct negotiations with the victim’s family, alongside Yemeni government officials, a Jinayat court judge, and tribal elders. A source told The Indian Express that two Yemeni nationals tied to the Indian mission and negotiator Samuel Jerome Bhaskaran are also part of the mediation effort.

“The discussions are at a delicate and decisive stage,” a source familiar with the talks said. “We are hopeful for a positive outcome.”

In Kerala, Indian Grand Mufti and All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama General Secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar has appealed to the victim’s family for mercy, requesting a pardon without the expectation of blood money (diya). His office said it remains optimistic that a resolution could be reached before the deadline.

On Monday, the Indian government told the Supreme Court it had done all it could under current diplomatic constraints, given India does not formally recognize Yemen’s government. “We didn’t want to complicate things by going public. We are trying through private channels,” Attorney-General R. Venkataramani told the court. The matter is posted for hearing on July 18—two days after the execution date.

Under Yemeni Sharia law, a death sentence may be commuted if the victim’s family accepts compensation. Activists have offered $1 million (₹8.6 crore) to Talal’s family, but no confirmation of acceptance has been received.

“We’ve made the offer, and the decision is now in their hands,” said Babu John, head of the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council. He added that Samuel Jerome is in Sana’a for direct talks with the family.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said his government firmly supports all efforts to secure a pardon for Nimisha Priya and save her from execution.

Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging urgent intervention. “This is a case deserving sympathy,” he wrote, adding, “The government of Kerala stands with all those working to secure her exoneration and safe return.”

Congress leader K.C. Venugopal and CPI MP Sandosh Kumar have also appealed to the Centre, asking for immediate diplomatic action. Kumar described Priya’s case as a “humanitarian crisis” and said she faced abuse and coercion from her partner, which ultimately led to the fatal act.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has assured it is offering “all possible help.” Randhir Jaiswal, MEA spokesperson, confirmed the government is actively supporting the case. Nimisha’s husband Tomy Thomas has also confirmed coordination between central and state authorities and said the family remains hopeful.

Nimisha moved to Yemen in 2008 to work as a nurse and opened a clinic with Talal’s support. Reports suggest she endured prolonged abuse, which allegedly led to the murder.

With all legal avenues in Yemen exhausted, and India’s diplomatic reach limited, the only chance now is for the victim’s family to accept the diyah and grant a pardon. Supporters hope that the collective pressure—from religious leaders, politicians, the public, and mediators—can save her life at the last moment.