Dubai: With just days left before her scheduled execution on July 16, Indian nurse Nimisha Priya has made a heartfelt plea to the Indian government to intervene and save her life. Convicted of murder in Yemen in 2018, Nimisha’s last hope lies in receiving a pardon from the victim’s family in exchange for diya (blood money), a practice permitted under Sharia law.
According to NDTV, the emotional appeal was relayed through Babu John, an activist with the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council. He said Nimisha has specifically asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step in swiftly.
“She is hopeful that she will be saved if the Indian government acts quickly,” John told NDTV.
$1 Million Blood Money Offer on the Table
Efforts are underway to offer the victim’s family $1 million (approximately ₹8.6 crore) as blood money. Samuel Jerome, the family’s legal representative, is currently in Sana’a negotiating the deal. However, the victim’s family has yet to accept or reject the offer.
“We have proposed $1 million, and the family has not given a final response. If they agree, we are ready to mobilize the amount immediately,” John said.
Nimisha’s Background and the Incident
Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala, moved to Yemen in 2008 for work. She initially served in hospitals before opening her own clinic. Yemeni business law required her to have a local partner, and she entered into a partnership with a man named Talal Abdo Mehdi.
Reports suggest that Nimisha was subjected to repeated harassment and abuse by Mehdi, who also allegedly confiscated her passport. In 2017, in what activists describe as a desperate attempt to retrieve her documents and escape, she injected him with sedatives. He died, and she was arrested while trying to flee the country.
Husband, Activists Remain Hopeful
Nimisha’s husband, Tomy Thomas, said he is in regular contact with her via text and voice messages.
“The central and state governments, as well as the Ministry of External Affairs, are involved,” he told ANI. “We are hopeful of a positive outcome.”
He added that even the Governor of Kerala has extended support and facilitated communication with Nimisha’s mother through video conferencing.
Limited Legal Options Remain
All formal legal avenues have been exhausted. The Yemeni Supreme Judicial Council upheld the conviction in November 2023, and the country’s president signed the execution order. Yemen’s laws allow for two outcomes in murder cases:
- Qisas (retributive justice, i.e., execution)
- Pardon in exchange for diya (blood money)
“We are appealing to the family to show mercy, whether or not they accept the money,” said John.
No Diplomatic Ties, But Growing Support
The lack of diplomatic relations between India and the Houthi-led administration in Yemen has complicated intervention efforts.
“The civil war and the absence of formal diplomatic channels make it difficult. But India is a regional power, and Prime Minister Modi has strong international standing. His intervention can make a difference,” said John.
Nimisha’s Role in Prison and Ongoing Campaign
Since her arrest, Nimisha has been serving fellow inmates as a medical professional in prison. According to activists, she is in regular contact with her family and remains mentally strong and hopeful.
“She serves as a doctor in jail and even has daily communication with us through the support of jail authorities,” John noted. “Even the Yemeni prison staff want her to be saved.”
The Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, formed in 2020, continues to rally support both in India and abroad.
“This is not just about one individual. This case will be a test of how India protects its citizens abroad — especially women and migrant workers,” John said.
