In a desperate bid to save her life, the family of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who is scheduled to be executed on July 16 in Yemen, has offered $1 million (approximately ₹8.6 crore) as blood money to the family of the deceased Yemeni national she was convicted of murdering in 2017.
The 38-year-old nurse from Palakkad, Kerala, has been imprisoned in Sana’a, the capital of war-torn Yemen, for nearly seven years after she was accused and later sentenced to death for the murder of her Yemeni business partner. Despite multiple appeals, her final judicial review was rejected in 2023.
What Is Blood Money or “Diyya”?
Blood money, or diyya in Islamic jurisprudence, refers to the financial compensation paid by a murderer or their family to the victim’s family. This concept is deeply embedded in Sharia law, where it serves as a legal mechanism to resolve cases of intentional or unintentional homicide.
According to Islamic principles, the family of the deceased has the right to choose between:
- Qisas (retaliation) – seeking the death penalty or equal punishment
- Diyya (blood money) – accepting financial compensation and granting a pardon
This system was developed to end the endless cycles of revenge killings that plagued tribal societies for centuries. The underlying goal is to restore social balance rather than only punish.
What Determines the Amount of Diyya?
In many Islamic countries like Yemen, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Pakistan, the amount of diyya is not fixed and may depend on:
- The gender of the victim
- The religion of the victim
- The nationality of both the accused and the victim
The law in Yemen, primarily influenced by the Hanbali and Shafi’i schools of thought, gives the victim’s family the legal right to pardon the accused in exchange for blood money.
Importantly, acceptance of blood money does not automatically lead to the release of the accused. The state still holds the authority to impose additional penalties, especially in cases involving serious crimes or public outrage.
What Happened in the Nimisha Priya Case?
In 2017, Nimisha Priya was arrested for allegedly murdering her Yemeni business partner. Reports suggest that the incident arose due to abusive business dealings and personal conflict. She was found guilty by a local Yemeni court and sentenced to death in 2020.
In 2023, her final appeal was dismissed, leaving diplomatic intervention or clemency through diyya as the last resort.
Her family, supported by the NGO Save Nimisha Priya – International Action Council, is leading efforts to raise the blood money and engage in negotiations with the deceased’s family.
India’s Diplomatic Response
The Supreme Court of India on July 14 agreed to hear a plea demanding the Centre use diplomatic channels to save Nimisha Priya from execution. A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi acknowledged the urgent nature of the case after a petition was filed by advocate Subhash Chandran KR.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed awareness of the matter. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said:
“We are aware of the sentencing of Ms. Nimisha Priya in Yemen. The family is exploring relevant options. The government is extending all possible help in the matter.”
India has no diplomatic mission in Yemen due to the ongoing civil war, which makes the legal and logistical assistance extremely complicated.
Time Is Running Out: What’s Next?
With just three days left before execution, the only hope is for the victim’s family to accept the $1 million diyya offer and grant a pardon. Negotiations are reportedly still underway, with several activists, religious leaders, and expats trying to act as mediators.
The International Action Council and Nimisha’s family are urgently raising funds, while appealing to the global community, including the Kerala diaspora, to support their cause.
If the offer is accepted and pardon granted, the Yemeni courts may commute the death sentence, sparing Nimisha’s life.
Public Sentiment & Appeals
The case has stirred widespread emotion, particularly in Kerala, where many people view Nimisha as a victim of unfortunate circumstances in a foreign land. Protests and fundraisers have been held across various Indian cities and Gulf nations.
Many legal experts and human rights activists have also questioned the fairness of her trial in a conflict-ridden nation with inadequate legal representation.
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