Kerala nurse on death row in Yemen: Nimisha Priya informed of execution date

Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old Indian nurse from Kerala on death row in Yemen, has been officially informed that her execution is scheduled for July 16, 2025. Her husband, Tomy Thomas, confirmed she relayed the news via WhatsApp messages from the Central Prison in Sana’a, where she is currently held.

"She was very upset. I told her every effort is being made to save her," he said. 

Nimisha was sentenced to death in 2020 for the alleged murder of Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017. Her final appeal was dismissed by Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council in 2023. However, under Yemeni law, a pardon is still possible if the victim’s family accepts blood money (diyah). 

Despite the reported execution date, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia—which oversees Yemen—have not officially confirmed the development. India lacks diplomatic presence in Houthi-controlled Sana’a, complicating direct intervention. 

Tomy met Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar and MLA Chandy Oommen on Thursday. The Governor contacted MEA officials during the meeting and assured full support. He also spoke with Nimisha’s mother, Prema Kumari, currently in Yemen, via video call.

"We postponed our trip to Delhi after receiving the Governor's assurance," said Tomy. 

The Supreme Court of India will hear an urgent petition on July 14, filed by the Nimisha Priya International Action Council, seeking government intervention. The bench directed the Attorney General to inform the court of steps taken so far. 

A wave of support is building in India. Kerala Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan has written to President Droupadi Murmu, while MPs K. Radhakrishnan and John Brittas have appealed to PM Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

“This is a humanitarian crisis. The government must act urgently,” said Satheesan. 

Under Sharia law, Nimisha’s death sentence can be waived if the victim’s family agrees to accept blood money. The Save Nimisha Priya Action Council has reportedly raised $1 million (₹8.5 crore) to offer as compensation, but the family has not responded.

Social worker Samuel Jerome Bhaskaran, representing Nimisha’s mother, is in Yemen trying to negotiate the pardon.

“The only way is through influential local mediation,” he said. 

Originally from Palakkad, Kerala, Nimisha moved to Yemen in 2008 to work as a nurse. In 2014, her husband and daughter returned to India, while she remained to run her clinic.

She later accused her Yemeni business partner Talal of forging marriage documents, confiscating her passport, and abusing her. In a desperate attempt to retrieve her documents, she sedated Talal, leading to his death. She was arrested while trying to flee near the Saudi border. 

Nimisha’s mother, Prema Kumari, is in Yemen pursuing legal and humanitarian routes. The family is reportedly in debt of over ₹60 lakh and continues to seek help from the public and authorities.

“We are doing everything possible. All eyes are now on New Delhi,” said Tomy. 

The clock is ticking. If the victim’s family accepts the diyah and grants a pardon before July 16, Nimisha Priya's life can be spared. Until then, her fate hangs in the balance.