Sunni Cleric Joins Final Push To Save Indian Nurse On Yemen Death Row: 'Only Option Is...'

Last Updated:July 15, 2025, 08:29 IST

The nurse's lawyer, Subhash Chandran, said that efforts are underway to save her life through the intervention of an influential Sunni Muslim cleric

In 2017, Nimisha allegedly tried to sedate Mahdi to retrieve her documents, but the overdose proved fatal. (News18 Hindi)

A top Sunni Muslim cleric has joined the efforts to convince the victim’s family to accept blood money, the only legal route left to save the life of Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya, whose execution date has been set for July 16.

Priya, a native of Kerala, is reportedly on death row at the Central prison in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, for the alleged murder of her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in 2017.

The nurse’s lawyer, Subhash Chandran, said that efforts are underway to save her life through the intervention of influential Sunni Muslim cleric Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar.

He added that through Musliyar, who holds the title of Grand Mufti of India and known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, they have reached out to one of the family members, as well as some local authorities and religious leaders.

“We are trying our best so that the family accepts the blood money and the Kerala nurse is spared from death row," Chandran told TNIE.

As part of the final negotiations, Musliyar has personally reached out to the victim’s family and is making “all possible efforts" to initiate a process of reconciliation.

He has reportedly engaged in discussions with religious leaders in Yemen, who are themselves in communication with the victim’s family, according to reports.

SC Hearing

Notably, the Supreme Court on July 14 heard a petition filed by the Save Nimisha Priya Action Council, a group working to prevent her execution.

During the hearing, the Centre informed the court that it is making “every possible effort" in the case.

Attorney General R Venkataramani told the bench that, given the sensitive situation and the conditions in Yemen, the government’s ability to intervene is limited.

According to reports, Priya has been working as a medical professional in prison, providing care to other inmates.

Nimisha Priya Case

She had moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her parents financially. After gaining experience in various hospitals, she eventually opened her own clinic.

In line with Yemeni laws requiring foreign nationals to have a local partner for business ventures, the 37-year-old entered into a partnership with a Yemeni citizen, Talal Abdo Mehdi, who allegedly subjected her to ongoing harassment.

Mehdi had reportedly taken possession of her passport. In 2017, Priya administered sedatives to him, intending to recover the passport while he was unconscious. However, Mehdi died, and Priya was arrested while trying to leave the country.

Yemen

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