Sources Deny Reports of Nimisha Priya’s Death Sentence Being Revoked
K N Mishra
29/Jul/2025

What’s covered under the Article:
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Official sources clarify that claims about Nimisha Priya’s death penalty being overturned are not verified by Yemeni authorities.
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The Supreme Court of India was informed earlier that her execution has been temporarily stayed, with efforts ongoing for her safe return.
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Priya, an Indian nurse convicted of murder in Yemen, awaits further legal and diplomatic interventions, with the next hearing scheduled for August 14.
In a significant development surrounding the Nimisha Priya case, official sources have refuted the reports that her death sentence in Yemen has been overturned. Earlier, a statement released by the office of the Indian Grand Mufti, Kanthapuram AP Abubakker Muslaiyar, claimed that the death penalty had been revoked, causing widespread public and media speculation. However, according to credible sources, there is no official confirmation yet from the Yemeni government regarding such a revocation.
What Was Reported Earlier
The Grand Mufti’s office had issued a statement on Monday claiming that the death sentence previously suspended has now been formally cancelled. The statement cited a high-level meeting in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, as the forum where the decision was supposedly taken.
Quoting this announcement, news agencies reported that the Yemeni authorities had formally revoked the sentence of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, a native of Kerala, who has been on death row in Yemen since 2020.
However, the Grand Mufti’s office admitted that while the decision was shared informally, they had not yet received any official written order from Yemeni officials. This ambiguity has now been reinforced by official Indian sources, who claim the information is inaccurate and premature.
The Government’s Stance
According to reports from news agency ANI, the Indian government has not received confirmation from Yemen regarding any change in the legal status of Nimisha Priya. Officials emphasized that until written confirmation is received from Yemeni authorities, any assumptions or public statements regarding the revocation of her death sentence should be treated with caution.
Furthermore, Indian officials managing the case have not confirmed any of the claims made by Musaliyar’s office or by social activists like Dr. Subramanian Paul, who have been actively campaigning for her release.
Background of the Case
Nimisha Priya, a trained nurse from Palakkad, Kerala, had moved to Yemen in 2008 seeking better employment opportunities. Over time, she established a medical clinic in partnership with a Yemeni national named Talal Abdo Mahdi in the capital city, Sanaa.
However, their professional relationship allegedly turned abusive. Reports indicate that Mahdi began to harass Priya, falsely claiming to be her husband, and also confiscated her passport, effectively trapping her in Yemen.
In a desperate bid to retrieve her documents and escape the abusive situation, Priya reportedly attempted to sedate Mahdi in 2017. The attempt proved fatal, as Mahdi allegedly died of a drug overdose. Following the incident, Priya was arrested and later convicted of murder by a Yemeni court in 2018. In 2020, she was sentenced to death.
Legal and Diplomatic Intervention
Efforts to revoke or reduce the death penalty have since gained momentum, especially after her execution was scheduled for July 16, 2025. Due to consistent pressure from Indian diplomats and non-resident Indian communities, the execution was postponed.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of India was informed that the execution has been stayed, and the Indian government was actively working to ensure her safe return.
During the hearing, Attorney General R. Venkataramani, representing the Indian government, told the bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that diplomatic channels were being leveraged. The top court acknowledged these efforts and scheduled the next hearing for August 14, 2025.
The petition before the Supreme Court also raised the issue of blood money, a legal provision in Yemen that could be used to secure a pardon for Priya by paying compensation to the victim’s family.
Blood Money and the Legal Path Ahead
Under Yemeni Sharia law, the concept of “Diya” or blood money offers a potential route for clemency. If accepted by the deceased’s family, it could lead to commutation of the death sentence or full pardon. However, any such arrangement must be legally documented and processed through official Yemeni channels.
Several NGOs, legal aid groups, and expatriate Indian organizations have been working on raising funds for this purpose and initiating dialogue with the deceased’s family.
Nonetheless, officials involved in the case stress that only formal communication from the Yemeni legal system would determine Priya’s fate, and any statements to the contrary should be viewed as speculative unless supported by documentation.
Public Sentiment and Support Campaigns
The case of Nimisha Priya has galvanized public opinion in India and abroad. Several protests, online campaigns, and public fundraising drives have been organized to support her legal defense and raise the required blood money.
Social activists and community leaders have consistently appealed to the Indian government to expedite diplomatic efforts, and the recent reports of her death sentence being overturned brought momentary relief before being dismissed by official sources.
Conclusion
The situation remains sensitive and unresolved. While the postponement of the execution gives more time for legal and diplomatic maneuvering, the recent claims of revocation of the death sentence are not backed by any official Yemeni documentation as of now.
The Supreme Court’s next hearing on August 14 is expected to provide further clarity on the Indian government’s diplomatic engagements and legal strategies to bring Nimisha Priya back safely. Until then, it is essential for media outlets and the public to rely only on verified, officially endorsed information in such a high-stakes international legal matter.
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