Nimisha's family's goal is to avert the execution and bring her back to India.

Execution of Kerala Nurse Nimisha Priya Postponed in Yemen: Here's Why

The execution of Kerala-based nurse Nimisha Priya, scheduled for today in Yemen, has been postponed on Tuesday, Hindustan Times reported.

According to the report, the breaking update is the result of coordinated efforts by Indian authorities and the intervention of the ‘Grand Mufti of India’, Sheikh Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar.

Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death in 2020 for the alleged murder of a Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in 2017.

Until yesterday, the execution seemed inevitable, with no sign of reprieve or delay. The reprieve came at the eleventh hour.

As per the Hindustan Times report, the Indian government had earlier informed the Supreme Court that there was little it could do to prevent her execution, citing diplomatic limitations with Yemen. The prison where Nimisha is lodged is under the control of the Houthi, with whom India has no diplomatic ties.

It was the Grand Mufti of India whose personal intervention led to the reprieve. He reportedly approached Islamic scholars in Yemen regarding Nimisha's death sentence.

At the request of the Grand Mufti, talks were initiated between representatives of a Sufi scholar and a member representing the murder victim’s family, according to the HT report.

In addition, the Indian government made efforts to secure extra time for Nimisha's family to reach a mutually agreeable resolution with the victim’s family, the report added, citing PTI.

India was reportedly in regular contact with local jail authorities and the prosecutor’s office in Yemen, which eventually led to the reprieve.

Nimisha’s family’s goal is to avert the execution and bring her back to India.

According to the report, citing the Grand Mufti, efforts are still ongoing to seek a pardon for Nimisha from the family of the murder victim, Talal Abdo Mahdi.

“In Islam, instead of execution, there is also a practice of giving Diya (compensation). I requested them to accept Diyaat, as the party here is ready for it. Talks are ongoing about whether my request will be accepted,” the Grand Mufti was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

CPI(M) leader MV Govindan today on July 16 met Grand Mufti of India, Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar regarding Nimisha Priya case, the PTI reported.

Nimisha’s family is reportedly willing to pay rupees 8.6 crore as part of the “blood money”, a legally acceptable provision under Yemen’s Sharia law, to the victim's family.

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