In a significant development, the death sentence of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse imprisoned in Yemen, has been officially cancelled. The confirmation came from the office of Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Abubakker Musliyar on Tuesday.
According to the official statement, a high-level meeting was held in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, where the decision was made to permanently cancel the death penalty, which had earlier been temporarily suspended. “The death sentence of Nimisha Priya, which was previously suspended, has now been fully overturned,” the Grand Mufti’s office stated.
Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala, had moved to Yemen in 2015 f or professional work. Due to legal restrictions preventing foreigners from owning businesses, she partnered with a local man, Talal Abdo Mahdi, to operate a clinic. What began as a legal business arrangement soon took a disturbing turn. Mahdi allegedly manipulated a photo taken during a visit to India to falsely claim marriage to Nimisha. He later took over the clinic, seized her earnings, and subjected her to alleged abuse — including physical violence, drugging, and restricting her movement by confiscating her passport. After failed attempts to seek legal protection, Nimisha reportedly tried to sedate Mahdi in order to recover her passport and flee the country. However, the dose administered led to his death, resulting in her arrest and subsequent conviction for murder
The cancellation of the death sentence is seen as a result of sustained diplomatic efforts, legal appeals, and advocacy by human rights groups. Discussions are now expected to focus on securing her release and safe return to India. This case has drawn significant attention both in India and internationally, highlighting broader concerns around the rights and protection of Indian workers abroad, especially in conflict-affected regions.
