December 31, 2024: India has reaffirmed its commitment to assisting Nimisha Priya, a Kerala-based nurse sentenced to death in Yemen for the alleged murder of a Yemeni national. The execution of Priya, who has been imprisoned since 2017, is expected to be carried out within a month following the recent approval of her death sentence by Yemen's President Rashad al-Alimi.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed deep concern over the situation and confirmed its active involvement in exploring all possible avenues to save Priya’s life. "We are aware of the sentencing of Ms. Nimisha Priya in Yemen. We understand that the family of Ms. Priya is exploring relevant options. The government is extending all possible help in the matter," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.

Priya, a trained nurse, was convicted of killing Talal Abdo Mahdi, a Yemeni national, in 2017. The case revolves around Priya's attempt to retrieve her passport, which Mahdi had allegedly confiscated. Reports suggest that Priya injected Mahdi with a sedative intending to incapacitate him temporarily, but the dose resulted in a fatal overdose.

In 2018, a Yemeni court sentenced her to death, and subsequent appeals, including one to the Yemeni Supreme Court in 2023, were dismissed. With President al-Alimi’s approval of her sentence, Priya's only remaining hope lies in obtaining forgiveness from Mahdi’s family, in line with Yemen's customary practice of "blood money," where compensation can potentially avert capital punishment.

Priya's family has been tirelessly campaigning for her life. Her mother, Prema Kumari, made a desperate trip to Yemen last year, residing in the capital Sana’a to negotiate with Mahdi's family and tribal leaders. While the negotiations did not yield immediate results, the family remains hopeful that diplomatic efforts will make a difference.

The case has sparked widespread concern in India, with calls for intensified diplomatic intervention. Advocacy groups and activists have also stepped forward to highlight the urgency of securing a resolution before the looming execution date.

As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on the Indian government and its ability to broker a last-minute reprieve for Nimisha Priya.