With just days left until July 16, the life of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse from Kerala, hangs in the balance in Yemen. She has been convicted of murdering a Yemeni national and now faces execution. Her family, activists, and the Indian government are working hard to save her. This case has caught the attention of people across India, with many sharing their worries on social media platforms like Twitter, as reported by outlets like Hindustan Times.
Who is Nimisha Priya?
Nimisha Priya, 37, comes from Palakkad district in Kerala. She moved to Yemen in 2011 to work as a nurse and earn a better living. Her husband and daughter returned to India in 2014 because of money troubles and the growing unrest in Yemen. But Nimisha stayed back to support her family, according to India Today.
The Crime and Conviction
In 2017, Nimisha was arrested for the murder of Talal Abdo Mahdi, a Yemeni man she partnered with to open a clinic. In Yemen, foreign doctors need a local partner to run a clinic legally. Nimisha says Mahdi forged papers to claim they were married and abused her physically and financially for years. She was found guilty in 2018, and Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council confirmed her death sentence in November 2023, as per News18.
Efforts to Save Her
The Indian government is doing everything it can to stop her execution. An official told Times of India, “We have been closely following the matter since she was given the death sentence. We have been in regular touch with Yemeni authorities and her family members and rendered all possible assistance.” Nimisha’s mother, Prema Kumari, has been in Yemen since 2024, trying to convince the victim’s family to accept blood money—called diyya in Yemen—and forgive her. Her family has even offered $1 million (₹8.6 crore) for this, says Hindustan Times. The Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council and activists like Samuel Jerome are also helping. Samuel wrote in a blog, “This is not just a legal matter. It is a humanitarian, moral, and personal mission.”
Challenges in Yemen
Things are tough because Yemen is in the middle of a civil war. Sana’a, where Nimisha is in jail, is controlled by the Houthi group, and India doesn’t have official ties with them. This makes it hard for the government to step in, as explained by News18.
What Can Be Done?
Under Yemen’s Sharia law, the victim’s family can pardon Nimisha if they accept blood money. Negotiations are still going on. In India, leaders like Congress MP K C Venugopal have asked PM Modi to act fast. The Supreme Court of India will also hear a plea on July 14 to push the government to help, according to Times of India.
The Human Aspect
Nimisha’s family is heartbroken. Her husband, Tomy Thomas, a daily-wage worker, and their 12-year-old daughter, Michele, are hoping for a miracle. Tomy told India Today, “I can’t bear the thought of my daughter losing her mother.” This story also reminds us of the risks many Indian nurses face while working in the Gulf region.
As July 16 gets closer, the fight to save Nimisha Priya is growing more urgent. It’s a race against time, and every step matters. You can follow updates from official sources like the Indian government or trusted media and spread the word to support her cause.
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