An Indian nurse named Nimisha Priya stands on the brink of execution in Yemen, her fate hanging in the balance as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes. The 35-year-old healthcare worker was convicted of murdering Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mehdi and now faces the death penalty, scheduled for July 16, 2025.
Samuel Jerome Baskaran, a social worker actively involved in negotiations with Yemeni government officials and the victim's family, confirmed the grim development. "The public prosecutor has issued the execution order to prison authorities. The execution is set for July 16. However, options are still open; the Government of India can step in to help save her life," he said.
Who Is Nimisha Priya, an Indian Nurse, Facing The Death Penalty
Nimisha Priya's journey began in modest circumstances. Born to daily wage labourers in India, she pursued nursing education and training, determined to build a better future for herself. In 2008, seeking improved career prospects, she made the life-changing decision to move to Yemen.
Her personal life took a positive turn in 2011 when she married Tomy Thomas, who hails from Idukki. The couple settled in Yemen's capital, Sana'a, where they welcomed a daughter and began building their lives together.
Nimisha Priya Case: The Business Partnership That Turned Deadly
Frustrated with her low income as an employed nurse, Nimisha and her husband, Tomy, decided to establish their medical clinic. However, Yemen's regulations prevented foreigners from registering businesses independently, forcing them to seek a local partner.
Nimisha approached Talal Abdo Mahdi, a regular patient at the clinic where she previously worked. This decision would ultimately lead to a series of events that destroyed multiple lives.
Nimisha Priya Case: A Web of Fraud and Exploitation
The business venture quickly became complicated when Nimisha's former employer discovered her new enterprise. Under pressure, she was forced to sign an ownership agreement that heavily favoured others. The arrangement gave the former clinic owner 33% shares while Mahdi secured 67%, leaving Nimisha with minimal control over her own business.
Initially, the clinic operated successfully, but problems emerged when Mahdi stopped sharing income with Nimisha. When she confronted him about the financial arrangement, family accounts reveal that she was tortured in response.
The situation deteriorated further during a 2015 visit to Kerala. Media reports indicate that Mahdi accompanied Nimisha to India, where he met her husband and stayed at their family home. While Nimisha's husband, Tomy Thomas and their daughter planned to return to Yemen later, the outbreak of civil war in the country prevented their travel.
Nimisha Priya Case: Allegations of Forgery and Abuse
Nimisha has alleged that Mahdi took a copy of one of her wedding photographs and altered it to make it appear as if they were married. According to her account, Mahdi began telling his family and clinic staff that they had gotten married while they were in Kerala.
When Nimisha complained about these false claims and the matter reached the court, Mahdi allegedly produced forged documents of their marriage, which were accepted by the judicial system. This fraudulent documentation trapped Nimisha in an increasingly dangerous situation.
The nurse has also accused Mahdi of physically and sexually assaulting her on multiple occasions. These allegations led to Mahdi being repeatedly jailed over Nimisha's complaints, along with issues related to his drug addiction.
The Desperate Act That Led to Murder
The situation reached a critical point when Mahdi reportedly gained possession of Nimisha's passport, effectively preventing her from returning to India. She would visit him in jail, repeatedly demanding that he return her travel documents.
A jail official, witnessing Nimisha's predicament, allegedly suggested that she sedate Mahdi to retrieve her passport. In July 2017, following this advice, Nimisha injected Mahdi with sedatives. However, the plan went tragically wrong when he died from an overdose.
Panicking after Mahdi's death, Nimisha sought help from a fellow Yemeni nurse. This colleague allegedly suggested that they dismember the body and dispose of the parts in a water tank. Despite their attempts to hide, police authorities successfully tracked down and arrested both women.
Nimisha Priya Case: Legal Proceedings and Death Sentence
Nimisha was sentenced to death by a lower court in 2020, three years after the incident. Her legal team filed appeals in higher courts, but these pleas were rejected, leaving her facing execution.
The case gained international attention, leading to the formation of the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council in 2020. This organisation has worked tirelessly to overturn the death sentence and secure her release.
Government Intervention and Blood Money Negotiations
In June this year, the Government of India approved a transfer of funds totalling $40,000 to begin negotiations over Nimisha's release. The family sought to pay diyya or 'blood money' to the victim's relatives in exchange for a pardon, following Islamic legal traditions that allow for such arrangements.
Unfortunately, these efforts have not succeeded. On Monday, the President of Yemen approved Nimisha's death sentence, bringing her closer to execution.
Nimisha Priya's story serves as a tragic reminder of how quickly circumstances can spiral out of control, transforming someone from a healthcare worker helping others into a person facing the ultimate penalty. Her fate now rests in the hands of government officials and negotiators working against the clock to prevent an irreversible tragedy.
Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.
Image Courtesy: Freepik
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