Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya’s execution scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, has been postponed, top sources told Times Now.
Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya’s execution scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, has been postponed, top sources told Times Now. The development comes after reports that senior Sufi clerics in both India and Yemen had held talks to prevent her hanging. The intervention was reportedly spearheaded by renowned Yemeni Sufi scholar Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz, following an appeal by influential Indian Sunni cleric Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar.
Critical Meet Likely Today To Discuss Resolution
A critical meeting is also expected in Dhamar on Tuesday between Sheikh Habib’s representatives and the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi, the Yemeni national Priya was convicted of murdering in 2017. The family’s relative, who holds the powerful positions of Chief Justice of the Hodeidah State Court and member of the Shura Council, has travelled to Dhamar to participate in the talks.
“The fact that he is a follower of Sheikh Habib Umar’s Sufi order and the son of another prominent Sufi leader offers great hope,” said Kanthapuram’s office. “Along with persuading the family, he is also expected to meet the Attorney General to initiate urgent efforts to postpone the execution scheduled for tomorrow.”
“The fact that he is a follower of Sheikh Habib Umar’s Sufi order and the son of another prominent Sufi leader offers great hope,” said Kanthapuram’s office. “Along with persuading the family, he is also expected to meet the Attorney General to initiate urgent efforts to postpone the execution scheduled for tomorrow.”
Sources close to the negotiations said this meeting marks the first real breakthrough in reaching out to Mahdi’s family, who had previously refused all contact. “It was only through Kanthapuram’s intervention that communication with the family became possible for the first time,” a source revealed.
Will The Victim’s Family Accept Blood Money?
Tuesday’s talks will focus on whether the family is willing to accept diya (blood money), as permitted under Shariah law — a potential path to legally stop Priya’s execution. “We see the agreement of the family to hold talks with representatives of the Sufi spiritual leader as a positive signal,” the source added.
Meanwhile, the Indian government told the Supreme Court on Monday that its options are limited given the diplomatic complexities of Yemen, which New Delhi does not officially recognise. “The Government of India is trying its best,” Attorney General R Venkataramani informed the bench. “We have also engaged with some sheikhs who are very influential people there.”
He added: “Yemen is not like any other part of the world where, through diplomatic processes or inter-governmental negotiation, something can be sought. It is very complex.”
Meanwhile, the Indian government told the Supreme Court on Monday that its options are limited given the diplomatic complexities of Yemen, which New Delhi does not officially recognise. “The Government of India is trying its best,” Attorney General R Venkataramani informed the bench. “We have also engaged with some sheikhs who are very influential people there.”
He added: “Yemen is not like any other part of the world where, through diplomatic processes or inter-governmental negotiation, something can be sought. It is very complex.”