Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 29: In a major diplomatic and humanitarian breakthrough, the death sentence of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse hailing from Kerala and imprisoned in Yemen, has officially been cancelled, the office of Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Abubakker Musliyar confirmed on Monday.
A statement released by the Grand Mufti’s office revealed that a crucial high-level meeting held in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa led to the final decision. “The death sentence of Nimisha Priya, which was previously suspended, has now been completely cancelled,” the statement read, bringing a wave of relief to her family and well-wishers across India.
The 37-year-old nurse, originally from Palakkad in Kerala, had moved to Yemen in 2008 for better employment opportunities. In 2015, she partnered with a local Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi, to open a clinic — a necessity due to restrictions on foreign ownership of businesses in the country. However, this partnership soon turned into a nightmare.
According to her family, Mahdi deceitfully used a wedding photograph taken during a visit to India to falsely claim marital ties with Nimisha. He then allegedly took over the clinic, misused the arrangement for personal gain, and subjected her to severe exploitation. Allegations also surfaced of physical torture, drugging, and passport confiscation, leaving Nimisha trapped and powerless in a foreign land.
Her desperate attempt to recover her passport reportedly led her to sedate Mahdi — an act that tragically resulted in his death due to overdose. What followed was Nimisha’s arrest, trial, and conviction on murder charges, culminating in a death sentence.
Efforts to save Nimisha gained momentum over the past few years, with intense advocacy by human rights groups and significant intervention from religious and diplomatic circles. The involvement of Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar played a pivotal role in pushing for a compassionate review of her case.
As the news of the cancellation spreads, hopes are now pinned on the next phase — securing Nimisha’s safe return to India. Her family, while relieved, continues to seek full justice for the traumatic ordeal she endured over the years.