The Grand Mufti’s office confirms the outcome in the Nimisha Priya case, where an Indian nurse’s death sentence was revoked in Yemen.

Nimisha Priya Case: Conflicting Reports on Death Sentence Status in Yemen

On July 28, 2025, the office of Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Abubakker Musliyar announced that the death sentence of Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala convicted in Yemen for murder, had been overturned following a high-level meeting in Sanaa. This statement suggested a significant breakthrough in a case that has drawn attention due to its complex legal and diplomatic challenges. However, on July 29, 2025, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declared this claim inaccurate, clarifying that while Priya’s execution was postponed, there is no confirmation of a cancellation of her death sentence.

Background of the Case

Nimisha Priya relocated to Yemen in 2008 to work as a nurse in a Sanaa hospital. In 2015, she partnered with Talal Abdo Mahdi, a Yemeni national, to establish a clinic, as required by local laws for foreign business owners. Tensions arose when Priya accused Mahdi of harassment, confiscating her passport, and manipulating clinic ownership documents. In 2017, during an attempt to retrieve her passport, Priya allegedly administered sedatives to Mahdi, resulting in his death due to an overdose. She was arrested, convicted of murder in 2018, and sentenced to death in 2020. Her appeal was rejected by Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023.

Recent Developments

Priya’s execution, originally scheduled for July 16, 2025, was postponed following diplomatic interventions by the Indian government and advocacy from the Grand Mufti, who engaged Yemeni religious scholars to seek clemency. The Indian government has been providing legal assistance, including appointing a lawyer and facilitating consular visits for Priya’s family. Under Yemen’s Sharia-based legal system, a pardon from the victim’s family, potentially in exchange for “diyah” (blood money), could secure Priya’s release. By June 2024, supporters had raised approximately $40,000 for this purpose, but the victim’s family has consistently refused to accept a settlement.

The Grand Mufti’s office claimed on July 28, 2025, that the death sentence was cancelled, a statement echoed by evangelist Dr. KA Paul. However, these claims were contradicted by the MEA, which stated on July 29, 2025, that no such cancellation had been officially confirmed. Tomy Thomas, Priya’s husband, also reported no official communication regarding a cancellation. Additionally, Abdul Fattah Mahdi, the victim’s brother, publicly rejected the claims on social media, emphasizing the family’s demand for justice and refusal to grant a pardon.

Current Status and Challenges

The conflicting reports underscore the complexity of Priya’s case, set against the backdrop of Yemen’s ongoing civil war and the lack of formal diplomatic relations between India and the Houthi-controlled authorities in Sanaa. Negotiations for a pardon remain ongoing, but the victim’s family’s stance presents a significant hurdle. The Indian government continues to monitor the situation and provide support, while the absence of official confirmation from Yemeni authorities leaves the status of Priya’s sentence uncertain.

As of July 29, 2025, Nimisha Priya’s death sentence has been postponed but not verifiably cancelled. The case remains a focal point for diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, with further developments contingent on negotiations under Yemen’s legal framework.