Death Sentence of Nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen Still Stands, Says Indian Govt
No relief yet for Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen. Govt says reports of her death sentence being cancelled are false.
Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya’s Case in Yemen: No Relief Yet, Confirms Sources
New Delhi: The Indian government on Tuesday refuted claims that the death sentence of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen had been overturned, calling such reports “inaccurate.”
Officials clarified that no decision has been made to cancel the death penalty. “Information being shared by certain individuals on the Nimisha Priya case is inaccurate,” sources told reporters.
The clarification came hours after the Indian Grand Mufti’s office issued a statement claiming the Yemeni authorities had revoked the sentence following a high-level meeting in Sanaa. According to the Mufti’s office, the death penalty — earlier suspended — had been “completely cancelled.”
Who Is Nimisha Priya?
Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala, moved to Yemen in 2015, where she partnered with Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi to set up a clinic, as foreigners are barred from directly owning businesses in the country.
What began as a professional arrangement soon turned into a nightmare. Mahdi allegedly manipulated a wedding photograph taken in India to claim Nimisha as his wife, seized control of the clinic, and began extorting her monthly income.
Allegations of Abuse
Her family accuses Mahdi of subjecting Nimisha to severe abuse, including:
📌 Physical torture
📌 Drug-induced assaults
📌 Confiscation of her passport to prevent escape
When Nimisha sought help from the police, she was reportedly jailed briefly instead of being given protection.
The Fatal Incident
In a desperate attempt to reclaim her passport, Nimisha allegedly tried to sedate Mahdi. However, the dosage proved fatal, leading to his death from an overdose. She was arrested and later convicted of murder, resulting in a death sentence.
What Happens Next?
The case has sparked widespread attention in India, with human rights groups urging diplomatic efforts to secure her release. The Indian government has yet to confirm whether any negotiations with Yemeni authorities are ongoing.
For now, Nimisha Priya remains on death row, as her family continues to hope for a resolution.
