Last Updated Jul - 16 - 2025, 03:50 PM | Source : Fela News
Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, on death row in Yemen, may be spared through a "blood money" settlement under Sharia, an appeal now before India’s Supreme Court.
In a deeply emotional turn, Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya sentenced to death in Yemen for allegedly murdering her business partner may earn her life through an ancient Sharia provision known as "diya" or blood money. This option allows the victim’s family to forgive the accused in exchange for financial compensation.
Diya is rooted in Islamic jurisprudence and has been recognized in many Muslim-majority nations for centuries. Yemen’s legal system permits the application of Sharia, meaning Nimisha’s execution could be commuted if the victim’s family consents to the settlement.
The Indian government has informed the Supreme Court that it has limited diplomatic influence in Yemen, which is controlled by Houthi rebels. As a result, the only practical path to save Nimisha seems to lie in the hands of the victim’s family. Meanwhile, Nimisha’s supporters led by Kerala's Grand Mufti have mobilized to raise the substantial funds required under Sharia law.
Her mother, who has travelled to Sanaa, continues delicate discussions with tribal and religious leaders in the hope of securing mercy. But the conversation is tense; The victim's heirs will not only have to accept the lamp (blood money), but it is also necessary to accept it honestly and voluntarily.
Indian legal experts believe that although Diya Agreements can bring a fair solution, they also create many moral and legal complications - such as weighing a life with money and depending on religious law in serious crimes.
With Nimisha’s execution once scheduled for mid-July, time is running out. The Supreme Court has asked for updates by July 18.
This isn’t just a legal strategy, it's a race against a human life, where compassion, diplomacy, and faith are all on trial.
