A growing humanitarian crisis looms as Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, faces execution in Yemen on July 16, 2025, following her conviction in a 2017 murder case. The sentence, issued by a court operating under Houthi control in Sana’a, has triggered widespread concern across India and the international community over legal irregularities and diplomatic limitations.
Case Background and Legal Developments
- In 2017, Nimisha Priya allegedly administered sedatives to her Yemeni business partner in an attempt to recover her confiscated passports. The act resulted in his death.
- She was convicted in 2020, and the verdict was upheld in 2023 by a Houthi-run court.
- Although Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi reportedly approved the execution, sources indicate that the case remains under Houthi jurisdiction, and formal presidential ratification may not have occurred.
India’s Diplomatic and Legal Stand
- The Indian government, in a submission to the Supreme Court, stated that the only viable option to halt the execution is through payment of blood money (diyah)—a provision under Yemeni law.
- Due to the absence of an Indian embassy in Yemen and the complexities of dealing with non-state actors in a conflict zone, New Delhi has emphasized the severe diplomatic constraints in securing a resolution.
With time running out, urgent efforts are underway by rights groups, legal advocates, and diplomatic channels to negotiate a last-minute settlement and save Nimisha Priya’s life.
Read More On Muslim Forum