Kerala MPs seek Union govt intervention to save Nimisha Priya
Follow TNM’s WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links. With the execution of Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya reportedly scheduled for next week in Yemen, Kerala MPs K Radhakrishnan and John Brittas have urged the Union Government to step in with urgent diplomatic intervention to save her life. The MPs, both from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], sent letters to the Centre on July 9, requesting immediate action to prevent the execution. According to reports, the execution has been scheduled for July 16, following a decision by Yemen’s Director General of Prosecution. The Save Nimisha Priya Action Council, a citizens’ group advocating for her release, has also intensified efforts to initiate negotiations with the victim’s family and local Yemeni authorities. The Council is working to secure a pardon through the payment of diya (blood money), a legal mechanism under Yemeni law. Nimisha Priya was convicted in 2017 for the murder of Yemeni citizen Talal Abdo Mahdi. Reports suggest that she allegedly injected him with a sedative during a confrontation, following repeated episodes of abuse, extortion, and the confiscation of her passport. He collapsed and died shortly after, leading to her arrest and sentencing. In his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MP K Radhakrishnan called for the Union government’s urgent involvement to either secure Nimisha’s release or seek commutation of her death sentence. “Nimisha Priya's mother and family are going through unbearable anguish and continue to pin their hopes on the intervention of the Indian government,” wrote Radhakrishnan, who represents the Alathur constituency in Kerala. He added that the case has sparked widespread concern across Kerala and beyond, with many calling for a humanitarian response. “Reports suggest that her actions, though legally punishable, were committed under circumstances of severe personal trauma, reportedly involving prolonged abuse and exploitation during her stay in Yemen,” the letter noted. Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas wrote separately to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, urging the government to facilitate negotiations with the deceased’s family, tribal leaders, and other local stakeholders. He emphasised that the Action Council is ready to bear the financial responsibility of the diya payment but needs government assistance in identifying the stakeholders, determining the required amount, and ensuring the funds are properly transferred. “As evidence of their commitment, an initial tranche of USD 40,000 was handed over to the Government. Yet, regrettably, there has been no follow-up on the final amount required or any update on negotiation progress, resulting in critical time being lost,” Brittas stated. He added that the Council is prepared to cover the full diya amount, and only needs the Centre to step in diplomatically to facilitate the process and avert what he called a preventable tragedy. Nimisha Priya had moved to Yemen in 2014 with her husband and young daughter. Due to financial strain, her family returned to Kerala while she stayed back and, in 2015, started a clinic with the help of Talal Abdo Mahdi, whose sponsorship was legally required for business operations by foreigners. The case has since drawn national attention, with appeals from civil society, human rights groups, and the Malayali diaspora calling for urgent government intervention.
Follow TNM’s WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
WITH the execution of Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya reportedly scheduled for next week in Yemen, Kerala MPs K Radhakrishnan and John Brittas have urged the Union Government to step in with urgent diplomatic intervention to save her life.
The MPs, both from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], sent letters to the Centre on July 9, requesting immediate action to prevent the execution. According to reports, the execution has been scheduled for July 16, following a decision by Yemen’s Director General of Prosecution.
The Save Nimisha Priya Action Council, a citizens’ group advocating for her release, has also intensified efforts to initiate negotiations with the victim’s family and local Yemeni authorities. The Council is working to secure a pardon through the payment of diya (blood money), a legal mechanism under Yemeni law.
Nimisha Priya was convicted in 2017 for the murder of Yemeni citizen Talal Abdo Mahdi. Reports suggest that she allegedly injected him with a sedative during a confrontation, following repeated episodes of abuse, extortion, and the confiscation of her passport. He collapsed and died shortly after, leading to her arrest and sentencing.
In his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MP K Radhakrishnan called for the Union government’s urgent involvement to either secure Nimisha’s release or seek commutation of her death sentence. “Nimisha Priya's mother and family are going through unbearable anguish and continue to pin their hopes on the intervention of the Indian government,” wrote Radhakrishnan, who represents the Alathur constituency in Kerala.
He added that the case has sparked widespread concern across Kerala and beyond, with many calling for a humanitarian response. “Reports suggest that her actions, though legally punishable, were committed under circumstances of severe personal trauma, reportedly involving prolonged abuse and exploitation during her stay in Yemen,” the letter noted.
Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas wrote separately to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, urging the government to facilitate negotiations with the deceased’s family, tribal leaders, and other local stakeholders. He emphasised that the Action Council is ready to bear the financial responsibility of the diya payment but needs government assistance in identifying the stakeholders, determining the required amount, and ensuring the funds are properly transferred.
“As evidence of their commitment, an initial tranche of USD 40,000 was handed over to the Government. Yet, regrettably, there has been no follow-up on the final amount required or any update on negotiation progress, resulting in critical time being lost,” Brittas stated.
He added that the Council is prepared to cover the full diya amount, and only needs the Centre to step in diplomatically to facilitate the process and avert what he called a preventable tragedy.
Nimisha Priya had moved to Yemen in 2014 with her husband and young daughter. Due to financial strain, her family returned to Kerala while she stayed back and, in 2015, started a clinic with the help of Talal Abdo Mahdi, whose sponsorship was legally required for business operations by foreigners.
The case has since drawn national attention, with appeals from civil society, human rights groups, and the Malayali diaspora calling for urgent government intervention.
