Nimisha Priya’s case ‘sensitive, complex’; reports of death penalty revocation ‘incorrect’: MEA

Terming Indian nurse Nimisha Priya’s case as “sensitive and complex,” the government on Friday urged the media to desist spreading misinformation while saying reports claiming her death penalty revocation are incorrect.

In response to a question about the case, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “As I had informed earlier, this is a sensitive matter. The Government of India has been offering all possible assistance in the case. As a result of our concerted efforts, the local authorities in Yemen have postponed carrying out her sentence.”

“We continue to closely follow the matter and render all possible assistance. We are also in touch with some friendly governments on the issue,” he added.

“I would once again reiterate that this is a sensitive and complex case. Media reports based on misinformation and speculation are unhelpful. We urge all to be mindful of this,” Jaiswal said.

Contrary to several reports, the spokesperson confirmed that no agreement has yet been reached regarding her release, and her death sentence remains in effect, he added.

The execution of Nimisha Priya has been postponed for now. She was earlier scheduled to be executed on July 16.

Nimisha Priya, who hails from Kollengode town in Kerala’s Palakkad district, moved to Yemen in 2011, where she met Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi. She later set up a clinic in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, reportedly with Mahdi’s help.

As per Yemeni law, foreigners can only start their business with a local partner.

In 2017, Priya was found guilty of murdering Mahdi, a charge she claimed was an act of self-defence. Priya alleged that Mahdi had harassed her for money, seized her passport, forged documents to pose as her husband, and subjected her to physical and emotional abuse.

In 2018, she was sentenced to death by a trial court in Yemen. Since then, her family has been fighting for her release. They approached the Yemini Supreme Court against the trial court’s order, but their appeal was rejected in 2023. Yemen’s President later confirmed the death sentence on December 30, 2024.