New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee Chairman and Kerala Congress MP K.C. Venugopal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent intervention to prevent the execution of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse from Kerala sentenced to death in Yemen on July 16.
“I am writing to seek your immediate intervention concerning Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse from Kerala sentenced to death in Yemen on July 16, 2025,” Venugopal stated in his July 10 letter to the Prime Minister.
Venugopal noted that while Nimisha’s family and the Action Council have tried to negotiate with the victim’s family for acceptance of “blood money” (diyah), which could save her life, the ongoing civil war and internal instability in Yemen have severely hampered these efforts.
“Given the complexity of the situation, I request you to intervene in this matter with utmost priority, imploring all possible diplomatic measures with the Yemeni authorities and ensuring that the death sentence be cancelled,” he wrote.
On X, Venugopal called the death sentence “a grave travesty of justice,” saying Nimisha was “a victim of unimaginable cruelty and domestic abuse on foreign soil, driven to the brink,” and urged urgent action to prevent her execution.
Earlier, Nimisha’s husband Tomy Thomas had also appealed to authorities and highlighted ongoing efforts to save her life. Thomas recently met Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, who expressed support via video conference to Nimisha’s mother.
Speaking to ANI, Thomas said: “I am in contact with Nimisha. It is possible to send text and voice messages to her. I met the Governor yesterday, who offered all support to Nimisha’s mother through video conferencing. The Central government, State government, and the MEA have been making efforts, and we expect a positive response. Our advocate is doing everything possible…”
Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (CPI) MP Sandosh Kumar also wrote to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging immediate diplomatic intervention to stop the execution.
“Nimisha’s case has not only shaken the conscience of the public but also raised serious concerns about the lack of legal safeguards and the humanitarian dimensions of her ordeal,” Kumar wrote.
He noted that Nimisha, who went to Yemen to work as a nurse, endured repeated abuse and coercion by her business partner and was denied her passport, which left her trapped and vulnerable.
“What followed was a tragic turn of events that has now placed her on death row in a country with which we do not have formal diplomatic relations,” Kumar wrote.
The CPI, he added, has consistently stood by Nimisha’s family in their appeal for justice and has called for the government to facilitate negotiations for diyah.
“It is a question not only of saving a life but of reaffirming the nation’s responsibility towards its citizens abroad, particularly those vulnerable and caught in extreme circumstances. India must speak with urgency, compassion, and resolve,” he said.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed it is aware of the case and is providing assistance. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “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.”
(ANI)
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