
‘Sensitive matter, offering all assistance': MEA on Nimisha Priya's death sentence in Yemen
Priya's execution was scheduled for July 16 but it was postponed.
The nurse, hailing from Kollengode in Kerala's Palakkad district, has been found guilty of murdering a Yemeni citizen in July 2017.
'This is a sensitive matter. The Government of India has been providing all possible assistance,' external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing.
'We have provided legal assistance and appointed a lawyer to assist the family. We have also arranged regular consular visits and been in constant touch with the local authorities and the family members to resolve the issue,' he said.
This included concerted efforts in recent days to seek more time for the family of Priya to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party, he said.
'We continue to closely follow the matter and render all possible assistance. We are also in touch with some friendly governments,' Jaiswal said.
VIDEO | Delhi: Responding to a question on the case of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia), while addressing a press briefing, said:
'This is a sensitive matter. The Government of India has been providing all possible assistance. We have… pic.twitter.com/bK0R8V8dAk
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 17, 2025
Priya, a nurse from Palakkad in Kerala, was convicted of murdering Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017. She was arrested while attempting to flee Yemen and sentenced to death by a trial court in 2018—a verdict later upheld by Yemen's Supreme Court. In 2023, the country's President Rashad al-Alimi gave his formal approval for the execution order, which had been pending with the prosecutor since January 2024.
Priya had moved to Yemen in 2008 after qualifying as a nurse. In 2011, she returned briefly to Kerala to marry Tomy Thomas, before going back to Yemen with aspirations of starting a medical clinic. However, under Yemeni law, foreign nationals can only open clinics in partnership with a local. That's when she and her husband approached Talal Abdo Mahdi, a frequent visitor at the clinic where she was employed, to serve as their local partner.
According to Priya's family, Mahdi later refused to share the clinic's income and allegedly forged documents to claim Priya as his wife—while her husband remained in Kerala. They allege she was subjected to physical and mental abuse and prevented from leaving the country, as Mahdi had taken away her passport and travel papers.
In a desperate attempt to retrieve her documents, Priya, allegedly assisted by another nurse, Hannan, reportedly tried to sedate Mahdi. However, the dosage proved fatal. Panicked, the two women are said to have dismembered the body and disposed of it in a water tank. Both were subsequently arrested.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
11 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Election Commission seeks proof from existing electors, its officer said enrolment has clear safeguards
When the Election Commission (EC) announced a 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls on June 24, it cited the need to ensure that all electors on the revised roll meet the eligibility criteria of age and citizenship — including those who were added after 2003, the year the last intensive revision was undertaken in the state. But barely a year earlier, when the question of alleged illegal immigrants became a flashpoint during the Assembly elections in neighbouring Jharkhand, the poll panel's top official in the state had defended the EC's 'elaborate provisions' for preparing electoral rolls — particularly those relating to citizenship. Incidentally, the last intensive revision in Jharkhand was also conducted in 2003, the same year as Bihar. In fact, in an affidavit filed in the Jharkhand High Court on September 3, 2024, in a case involving alleged illegal immigrants obtaining identity documents, including Voter ID cards, the state's Chief Electoral Officer, K Ravi Kumar, cited the EC's instructions on the routine preparation and revision of electoral rolls to argue that the Commission had established 'clear safeguards' to prevent the enrolment of ineligible persons. However, in the same affidavit, the Jharkhand CEO also underlined the limits of an Electoral Registration Officer's (ERO's) powers to question or initiate an inquiry into an individual's citizenship — especially 'in the absence of any credible allegation and the existence of legitimate government-issued documents.' The affidavit said that in case of any doubt regarding an applicant's citizenship, the ERO could consult the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) before making a decision, and in case of an objection filed in the form of Form 7, the burden of proof initially lay with the objector. The High Court was hearing a case filed by Danyaal Danish, a Jharkhand resident and BJP worker, who sought action against alleged illegal immigration from Bangladesh. In August 2024, the court had asked the Union and State government entities concerned to file affidavits on the steps taken to deal with the issue. The CEO's affidavit provided a detailed explanation of the processes followed by EROs, while underlining that it is the Union government, through the MHA, that can determine citizenship. '…it is respectfully submitted that the Election Commission of India has formulated elaborate provisions regarding entry of names during preparation of electoral roll, and deletion of names on objection or doubt about their citizenship have been incorporated in the election laws and manual,' the affidavit said. The CEO said the Commission had established 'clear safeguards' to prevent enrolment of ineligible persons as per its Manual on Electoral Roll, 2023. According to this manual, the ERO has to satisfy himself or herself that an applicant is an Indian citizen. On the documents that the ERO can rely on, the manual says, though there is no standard and uniform document, an illustrative list of documents that 'could' be referred to comprises 'National Register of Citizens, wherever it exists, citizenship certificate issued by a competent authority, a valid passport issued by Government of India and birth certificate.' The affidavit further said that in case of any doubt, the ERO should refer the matter to the MHA to determine as per the Citizenship Act. In case of an objection to an elector on the rolls, it has to be filed in a Form 7. 'In case of an objection filed in Form 7 seeking deletion of name from the electoral roll on the ground that the person objected to is not a citizen of India, the onus of proof shall initially lie on the objector. This is a shifting burden of proof…Therefore, the Electoral Registration Officer would justifiably require the person concerned, to show evidence that he is a citizen of India,' the affidavit said. Importantly, the affidavit said: 'In the absence of any credible allegation and the existence of legitimate government-issued documents, the ERO's authority to question or initiate enquiry into an individual's citizenship becomes restricted…Further, should there be any reason to suspect that any of the certificates produced by the applicant is bogus or issued without due care, the ERO is instructed, as per paragraph 7.4.1. of Chapter 7 of the Manual on Electoral Rolls to [refer to] the authorities that issued that certificate. This is another effective mechanism prescribed for dealing with the issue of illegal migration.' In this case, the CEO said, the petitioner had not filed any Form 7, and in case any were filed in the future, the ERO would take appropriate action after due inquiry. The affidavit, however, did mention that the District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner of Sahibganj had received a complaint on August 27, 2024, from Kartik Kumar Saha, former BJP district president, alleging that 71 electors who had EPIC cards were allegedly Bangladeshis and therefore ineligible to be on the rolls. When reached for comment on the complaint, the Jharkhand CEO declined to comment, saying the matter was sub-judice. The District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner of Sahibganj, Hemant Sati, said an inquiry had been conducted into the allegations levelled against the 71 electors and the report submitted to the court. He said all the electors concerned had been living in the state for 30-40 years and were found to have valid government documents like Aadhaar cards. Many had even availed benefits of government schemes like PM Awas Yojana. While hearing the petition last year, the High Court had asked the Deputy Commissioners of six districts — Godda, Jamtara, Pakur, Dumka, Sahibganj and Deoghar — where 'majority of infiltrators' were reported, to submit affidavits giving details of such individuals 'after going through their Aadhaar Cards, Voter Cards and by comparing with the Record of Rights to establish their residency in the area which falls under the Santhal Pargana region', as per a September 20, 2024 order. Barring Sahibganj, all DCs disputed the allegation that illegal immigrants were present in their districts. The court had then asked the state and Union governments to form a fact-finding committee, which was challenged by the Jharkhand government in the Supreme Court. The matter is pending in both the Supreme Court and the High Court. As per the EC's June 24 order, all 7.8 crore existing electors in Bihar must fill out enumeration forms by July 25 to be included in the draft roll, which is scheduled for publication on August 1. In addition, voters who were added to the rolls after January 1, 2003 — the year of the last intensive revision — are required to submit documents to establish their eligibility, including proof of citizenship. Opposition parties and civil society groups have raised concerns that the exercise could disenfranchise genuine electors. The EC's decision to conduct the SIR has been challenged through multiple petitions in the Supreme Court, which has asked the Commission to file its response by July 21. Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu's national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. ... Read More


Indian Express
11 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Inking of India-UK trade pact, ties with Maldives focus of PM Modi's visit this week
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23 to 26, the government said on Sunday. While India and the UK are likely to formally sign the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during the visit, Modi will be the guest of honour at the Maldives' Independence Day celebrations. This will be Modi's first trip to the two countries after the change in leadership there. 'At the invitation of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to the United Kingdom from July 23-24, 2025,' the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. 'During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold wide ranging discussions with Prime Minister Starmer on the entire gamut of India-UK bilateral relations. They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance. Prime Minister is also expected to call on His Majesty King Charles III. During the visit, the two sides will also review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with a specific focus on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate, health, education and people-to-people ties,' it said. This will be Modi's fourth visit to the UK, but the first since Starmer came to power after he led the Labour landslide to end 14 years of Conservative rule in July last year. Since then, the two leaders have met a couple of times on the sidelines of multilateral meetings — at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November last year, and the G7 leaders' summit in Kananaskis in Canada in June this year. While the India-UK Free Trade Agreement was finalised in May this year, the pact is expected to be signed during Modi's visit. The FTA, finalised after three years of negotiations, is expected to benefit 99 per cent Indian exports from tariff and will make it easier for British firms to export whiskey, cars and other products to India besides boosting the overall trade basket. In the second leg of his visit, Modi will go to Maldives for the first time since President Mohamed Muizzu came to power in November 2023. 'Prime Minister Modi will be the 'Guest of Honour' at the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Independence of Maldives on July 26,' the MEA said. This will mark a turnaround in the relationship which started on a confrontational note. Earlier, Muizzu had asked India to withdraw Indian military personnel associated with the aviation platforms — two choppers and an aircraft — and they had to be replaced by technical personnel. Muizzu visited India in October last year, and the two sides moved forward to mend ties. Modi's visit will be aimed at taking this forward. 'In the second leg of his visit, PM will undertake a State Visit to Maldives from July 25-26, 2025 on the invitation of the President of the Republic of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu. This will be Prime Minister's third visit to Maldives, and the first visit by a Head of State or Government to Maldives during the Presidency of Mohamed Muizzu,' the MEA said. 'Prime Minister Modi will meet Mohamed Muizzu and hold discussions on issues of mutual interest. The two leaders will also take stock of the progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership', adopted during the State Visit of the President of Maldives to India in October 2024,' it said. It said the visit reflects the importance India attaches to its maritime neighbour, Maldives, which continues to hold a special place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. It will provide an opportunity for both sides to further deepen and strengthen the close bilateral relationship, it said. Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More


India Today
28 minutes ago
- India Today
Adhir Ranjan seeks PM's intervention in harassment of Bengali migrant workers
Former Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising serious concerns about the alleged harassment and detention of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in Maharashtra and Odisha. He said the workers are facing "harassment, humiliation, physical torture, and uncalled-for detention" based solely on their language and a letter sent on Sunday, the former Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha urged PM Modi to intervene immediately and ensure the safety and dignity of these workers, many of whom are daily wage earners from West alleged that the migrant workers are being targeted simply for speaking Bengali, which is reportedly being mistaken for Bangladeshi. "It is with immense anguish and a great deal of concern that I am seeking your kind intervention that a large number of Bengali migrant workers are being subjected to," he Congress leader added that the issue is deeply disturbing as these workers are Indian citizens, contributing significantly to the local economies of the states where they work."What is deeply saddening is the fact that migrants who belong to the poor and down-trodden section of society and are bonafide Indian citizens are being harassed under the pretext of the fact that their physical appearance and accent of language spoken are similar to the people of Bangladesh," Chowdhury the situation "inhumane," he said that targeting a linguistic group on such grounds must not be allowed to continue. Chowdhury urged the Prime Minister to direct the Union Labour and Home ministries to take immediate steps to protect these workers."The Union Government under your Leadership is bestowed with the responsibility of protecting the lives and livelihood of the country's citizens," he wrote."I eagerly look forward to your kind intervention, as the Head of the Government, in protecting the lives of its Bengali-speaking citizens, who belong to the poorer section of Indian society and are interstate migrant workers," the letter read on July 13, Chowdhury had also written to President Droupadi Murmu, drawing her attention to the same on Friday, members of a Trinamool Congress-affiliated workers' union staged a protest march in Siliguri against the National Register of Citizens (NRC), condemning the reported harassment and pushback of Bengali-speaking migrant workers from BJP-ruled states.- EndsMust Watch