logo
Nimisha Priya case: Blood money and the cost of forgiveness

Nimisha Priya case: Blood money and the cost of forgiveness

KOCHI: On July 14, the Centre told the Supreme Court that reaching a blood money settlement is the only option left for saving Nimisha Priya, an Indian citizen on death row in. The woman, a trained nurse from Kerala who opened her own clinic in Sanaa in partnership with a Yemeni citizen, Talal Abdo Mahdi, was convicted of murdering her business partner in 2017.
She was sentenced to death after an allegedly shoddy trial conducted in Arabic, without being provided an interpreter or proper legal counsel. Since then, the 38-year-old woman has been languishing in a jail in the Yemeni capital city, which is under the control of the Houthi rebels. She was due to be executed on July 16, but it was postponed amid intense backchannel negotiations to save her from the jaws of death.
The pause in the execution, though a temporary relief, has opened a new window of hope to try and secure pardon from the victim's family, which will pave the way for her release from prison. However, at least one member of Mahdi's family has so far refused to do so. Efforts are on to convince them to accept blood money and pardon Priya.
A lifeline
Under Islamic law, victims of crimes, or their families, can have a say in the punishment of the offender. In case of a murder, the victim's kin can 'forgive' the accused in exchange for monetary compensation, known as diyah or blood money. While grieving families are prone to seek vengeance, accepting blood money is encouraged to bring an amicable closure to the case.
The concept is rooted in the idea that it can end the cycle of violence by promoting reconciliation, justice, and mercy. The aim is to provide financial support to the affected family while encouraging forgiveness and maintaining social peace. It is not about punishment but balancing justice with compassion, emphasising the value of mercy alongside accountability.
While there is no concept of blood money under Indian laws, it is an accepted legal practice in several Islamic countries including Yemen. These countries give an opportunity to the victim's family to pardon the offender in exchange for monetary compensation. If diyah is accepted, then the death sentence will be lifted, though the accused may have to spend time in jail if the government decides to go ahead with other forms of punishment.
The process varies from country to country and can be complicated if the case involves foreigners. Usually, the victim's immediate family members are approached, through mediators — clerics, NGOs, or government departments— to persuade them to issue pardon. It often takes multiple rounds of meetings mediated by multiple stakeholders to secure pardon and arrive at the amount of blood money.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Second hate attack in 2 days: Hindu temple defaced in Australia with racist graffiti; probe under way
Second hate attack in 2 days: Hindu temple defaced in Australia with racist graffiti; probe under way

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Second hate attack in 2 days: Hindu temple defaced in Australia with racist graffiti; probe under way

A Hindu temple in Melbourne's eastern suburb of Boronia was defaced with racist graffiti this week, prompting widespread condemnation and a police investigation into what authorities are calling a 'linked series' of hate-motivated attacks. As reported by The Brisbane Times and The Sydney Morning Herald, offensive red graffiti with the words 'Go home' and other racial slurs were found daubed across the Shree Swaminarayan Temple on Wadhurst Drive, as well as two nearby Asian-operated restaurants Kingsland Chinese Restaurant and Charles King Dumpling. Police said a healing centre on Mountain Highway was also defaced the same night, bringing the total number of sites attacked to four. 'There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based and racist behaviour,' Victoria Police said in a statement. Authorities confirmed that all four incidents are being treated as linked and that an investigation is under way. 'An attack on our right to worship' Makrand Bhagwat, President of the Hindu Council of Australia's Victoria chapter, told Australia Today the vandalism of the temple was 'heartbreaking' for the community. 'Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion and unity,' he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Premium 1 BHK at Mahindra Citadel – Coming Soon! Mahindra Citadel Enquire Now Undo 'To have it targeted in this way feels like an attack on our identity, our right to worship and freedom of religion.' Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan sent a personal message of support to temple management. 'What happened this week was hateful, racist and deeply disturbing,' she wrote. 'It wasn't just vandalism – it was a deliberate act of hate, designed to intimidate, isolate, and spread fear.' Local interfaith networks, including the City of Greater Knox's Multifaith Network, have expressed support. 'We want to show that love and solidarity triumph over hate,' said community leader Vikrant Thakur. Indian man targeted in racist attack This came after a 23-year-old Indian man, Charanpreet Singh, was brutally attacked and left unconscious on a street in Adelaide following a reported racist assault linked to a parking dispute. According to 9News, the men allegedly told Singh to "f--- off, Indian" before launching a violent, unprovoked assault. 'They just said 'f--- off, Indian', and after that they just started punching,' Singh said. 'I tried to fight back, but they beat me until I was unconscious.' He sustained serious injuries, including brain trauma and facial fractures. A 20-year-old from Enfield was arrested and charged, but others involved remain at large.

PM Modi in London LIVE: India-UK FTA to be signed - What's on the cards?
PM Modi in London LIVE: India-UK FTA to be signed - What's on the cards?

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Mint

PM Modi in London LIVE: India-UK FTA to be signed - What's on the cards?

India-UK Free Trade Agreement: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived in the United Kingdom in a visit that is poised to further strengthen bilateral ties by signing a historic Free Trade Agreement. PM Modi landed in London for two-day visit to the United Kingdom. PM Modi will hold discussions with his UK counterpart Keir Starmer. The two leaders will have the opportunity to further enhance economic partnership, aimed at fostering prosperity, growth and jobs creation in both countries. The Prime Minister is expected to sign a historic free trade agreement with the UK in order to implement the deal that aims to open up trade between the two countries. The trade deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99 per cent of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100 per cent of the trade values, according to officials. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds are likely to sign the FTA in the presence of the two prime ministers on Thursday, people familiar with the matter said. Earlier in May, India and the UK sealed the free trade agreement that is expected to benefit 99 per cent Indian exports from tariff and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India besides boosting the overall trade basket. In his departure statement, Modi said India and UK share a comprehensive strategic partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years. "Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health and people-to-people ties," he said.

Why punish Karnataka: Siddaramaiah on Goa Chief Minister's remark on river project
Why punish Karnataka: Siddaramaiah on Goa Chief Minister's remark on river project

India Today

timean hour ago

  • India Today

Why punish Karnataka: Siddaramaiah on Goa Chief Minister's remark on river project

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah came down heavily on Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday for his recent comments on the Mahadayi river project, calling them an "insult to the people of Karnataka."Siddaramaiah questioned why the Union government had not officially communicated any concerns about the project. 'Is this how federalism works under BJP? Backdoor sabotage, silence, and betrayal?' he asked, accusing the Centre of acting in concert with the Goa government to block Karnataka's rightful claim. advertisementHe said the people of North Karnataka have been waiting for decades for access to drinking water, and the Mahadayi project was essential for survival, not a luxury. 'What crime have Kannadigas committed? Are we being punished for not surrendering to the BJP?' he said. Referring to the 2018 tribunal verdict, which allocated 13.42 Thousand Million Cubic (TMC) of water to Karnataka, the Chief Minister said the Centre and Goa's BJP-led government were jointly stalling the project despite the legal clearance.'This project will quench the thirst of over 40 lakh people in Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot and nearby regions. It is a lifeline, not a bargaining chip,' he also took aim at the state BJP and JD(S) leaders, accusing them of being spineless and silent. 'Their silence today will be remembered tomorrow,' he asserted that Karnataka would continue to fight 'legally, politically, and morally' to get its rightful share of water from the Mahadayi remarks came after Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, speaking in the Goa Assembly, reportedly said that the Centre would not approve Karnataka's Mahadayi project and claimed Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav had assured him of the same.- EndsTune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Karnataka

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store