FACT CHECK: Was Nimisha Priya's death sentence revoked? MEA clarifies truth about media reports on Kerala nurse's release agreement

Amid media reports claiming that the death sentence of Nimisha Priya has been revoked and that there is an agreement to release the Kerala nurse imprisoned in Yemen, the Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that such reports are incorrect.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Nimisha Priya case is a sensitive matter and the Centre has been giving all possible assistance for the Kerala nurse. He added that Yemen postponed her execution as a result of the Centre's concerted efforts.

“We continue to closely follow the matter and render all possible assistance. We are also in touch with some friendly governments on the issue. I would once again reiterate that this is a sensitive and complex case,” he added.

Jaiswal warned that media reports based on misinformation and speculation “are most unhelpful”. “We would urge all to be mindful of this,” he said, adding that reports about Nimisha's death sentence being revoked and an agreement has been reached for her release are “incorrect”. 

“This is a sensitive matter and we urge all sides to stay away from misinformation,” he reiterated.

Mediation by Kerala cleric?

Reports claiming the Kerala nurse's death penalty was revoked emerged on July 28 after the information was revealed by Grand Mufti of India Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, popularly known as Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar. Reports claimed that he mediated the issue with Yemeni authorities.

However, the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi, a Yemeni citizen who was murdered by the nurse, have refused to accept the blood money, demanding that Nimisha should be executed.

Talal Abdo Mahdi's murder

Nimisha had established a clinic in Sana'a in 2015 under the sponsorship of Talal. Things took a turn when Talal allegedly forged marriage documents and later took her passport. He reportedly abused her physically and mentally.

Later, in order to escape and retrieve her passport, Nimisha drugged Talal. However, he died of overdose. Yemeni authorities captured her from the Saudi border.

Nimisha was sentenced to death in 2020 and her appeals were quashed. The verdict was approved by the Yemeni president in 2024, following which her execution was scheduled for July 16. However, the sentence was postponed a day earlier, giving relief to the nurse's family.