Latest news with #Kerala-born
The Print
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Why bringing back Nimisha Priya, Kerala nurse on death row in Yemen, is a diplomatic rigmarole
Last week, Priya's execution was postponed after efforts of the government of India at the diplomatic level. The efforts are aimed at allowing the families to reach a 'mutually agreeable solution'. Priya allegedly sedated Talal Abdo Mahdi in an attempt to retrieve her passport to leave the country in 2017. However, Mahdi overdosed and died, according to reports. Priya has been in prison in Yemen's capital Sana'a since 2017, convicted of killing her business partner. Sana'a is governed by the separatist organisation—Ansar Allah—also known as the Houthis. India does not recognise nor maintain ties with the Iran-backed movement that has controlled Sana'a since 2014. Rather it recognises the government operating in the port city of Aden to the South, which is recognised internationally as the regime in-charge of Yemen. New Delhi: The complexities of Yemen—a fractured nation, in the midst of a civil war for over a decade, with rival regional powers jockeying for influence, combined with a lack of diplomatic representation from New Delhi—are all playing a role in the fate of Nimisha Priya, the Kerala-born nurse on death row in the West Asian nation. Born in Kerala's Palakkad district, Nimisha moved to Yemen in 2008 for work. Three years later, she married Tomy Thomas and the two moved back to Yemen and continued working in the West Asian nation. However, by early 2012, Yemen witnessed a major political change due to the impact of the Arab Spring, with its long-time leader Ali Abdullah Saleh lost his grip on power, after 22 years in control of Sana'a. Within two years, the Houthis, from the North of the country, swept across Yemen, capturing Sana'a and dislodging Saleh's successor Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi from the city. It was around this time that Priya decided to open her own clinic in the West Asian nation. For a foreigner to operate a business in Yemen, the law requires a local partner. Mahdi entered the situation, even though Priya eventually opened the clinic with her former boss Abdul Lateef, according to media reports. But Mahdi managed to become a shareholder, and allegedly created documents to show that Priya was his wife, and even took away her passport. Facing torture at the hands of Mahdi, Priya eventually decided to sedate him, retrieve her documents and leave the country, according to reports. However, Mahdi died and Priya was arrested attempting to flee the country. In 2020, Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death, which was upheld in 2023 by the Supreme Judicial Council. In April 2024, Premakumari, Nimisha Priya's mother finally travelled to Yemen and met her daughter in prison in Sana'a. There were negotiations over the payment of blood money between Mahdi's family and Priya's family. However, by September 2024 the negotiations were said to have hit a roadblock. Prominent businesspersons from Kerala including M.A. Yussuff Ali of the LuLu Group and Bobby Chemmanur have offered up to Rs 1 crore each for any potential settlement leading to the release of Priya. The efforts are being coordinated by the 'Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council'. Last week, Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, confirmed that New Delhi has been in touch with the 'local authorities'—the Houthis—in Sana'a as it continues to diplomatically seek her release. The only other option for Priya's release is the payment of 'diyah' or blood money to the family of the murdered Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi. Also read: Setback for efforts to save Nimisha Priya from execution in Yemen as victim's family refuses pardon The situation in Yemen Since September 2014, Yemen has been fractured by a civil war fought primarily between the internationally recognised government, currently led by Rashad al-Alimi, and the Houthis. The Houthis are known currently for their efforts to disrupt trade through the Red Sea, in response to Israel's military actions in the Gaza strip. The civil war in Yemen has regional implications, with Saudi Arabia leading a coalition to dislodge the Houthis from power. Iran, however, supports the Houthis, a Shi'ite revivalist movement, with a history of rising up against the Sunnis in power in the country. Yemen became the latest flash point for the proxy struggle between Riyadh and Tehran for control over West Asia. In April 2015, after evacuating its citizens from Yemen, New Delhi shut down its mission in the West Asian nation, with all issues with regards to the country handled through its embassy in Riyadh. Furthermore, India has no official ties with Ansar Allah, which has been in control of Sana'a, where Nimisha Priya has been imprisoned since 2018. In January 2025, Iran offered its assistance to India for the release of Priya. Last week, however, a source in the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi pointed to the current situation in West Asia, which has led to Tehran's inability to be involved in the diplomatic process to see Priya's return. When Priya first moved to Yemen in 2008, the country had been under the control of Ali Abdullah Saleh for over 18 years. Saleh, born in 1946, in a town outside Sana'a, rose through the ranks in the military of North Yemen. The country, which was divided between Monarchists and Republicans, was led by a number of military juntas, till Saleh arrived in the political scene in 1978. For the next 12 years, the Yemeni strongman consolidated power and led the country's reunification with the Communist South Yemen in 1990, following the collapse of the USSR. Saleh remained in power for the next 22 years, until the effects of the Arab Spring led to his downfall in 2012. He was replaced by his long-standing vice-president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. In September 2014, the Ansar Allah occupied Sana'a, demanding lower fuel prices and the formation of a new government. The rebel movement swept South from its stronghold in the North and within months had captured Sana'a. Hadi and the Houthis engaged in fraught negotiations to find a political agreement. However, this failed in January 2015, Hadi resigned and fled Yemen for Saudi Arabia. In February of that year, Hadi rescinded his resignation and a month later Saudi Arabia along with a coalition of Gulf states began their war in Yemen to dislodge the Houthis through both economic isolation and air strikes along with logistical support from the US. The Houthis during the initial stages received support from Saleh, as well as military aid from Tehran. The movement soon controlled territory consisting roughly 70 percent of the population, according to some estimates. The proxy war continued for years, with the frontlines largely stabilising following the Saudi-led intervention, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Eventually the Hadi government stabilised its control over Aden, while the Houthis held Sana'a and large swathes of North and North-Western Yemen. Eventually in 2022 a ceasefire was agreed to by both parties, which has been maintained since. Hadi resigned in 2022 after a decade in power, leading to a Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) consisting of eight members and led by al-Alimi. The PLC is the internationally recognised regime, and operates out of Aden. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Day before her execution, a ray of hope for Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Nimisha Priya Execution Postponed: India Engaging Yemen, ‘Friendly Govts' To Save Her, Says MEA
The Indian government has confirmed that it is actively working to help Kerala-born nurse Nimisha Priya, whose execution in Yemen has been temporarily postponed. She faces the death penalty in a murder case, with clemency from the victim's family being the only remaining option. The Ministry of External Affairs said it is in touch with Yemeni authorities and 'friendly governments' to secure a resolution. Legal help has been provided, and a lawyer was appointed to assist her family. The Attorney General of India informed the Supreme Court that discussions are ongoing to delay the execution and negotiate a possible reprieve. Nimisha's family and supporters remain hopeful as diplomatic efforts intensify.#nimishapriya #meaindia #randhirjaiswal #yemendeathpenalty #keralanurse #foreignaffairs #savetheindiannurse #indianurse #deathpenaltycase #clemencyappeal #modigovernment #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews Read More
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Nimisha Priya must face execution': Kin of murdered Yemeni refuses pardon for Kerala woman
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The family of Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi, for whose murder Kerala-born nurse Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death, has firmly rejected any proposals for a pardon. They insist that Nimisha must face execution as mandated by Yemeni courts, TOI reported. Abdelfattah Mahdi , Talal's brother, expressed their stance, said, "Nimisha won't be pardoned; she must face execution, as ruled by Yemeni courts."On the eve of the scheduled execution, Yemeni authorities decided to postpone the execution order, which briefly raised hopes in Kerala for a potential breakthrough in negotiations. However, Abdelfattah Mahdi dismissed these optimistic developments, emphasizing their unwavering demand for retribution."What is happening today, and all the talk of mediation and reconciliation attempts, is neither new nor surprising," he said. He further said, "Throughout the years of pursuing our case, there were covert efforts and serious attempts at mediation - and that is natural and expected. But the pressures we faced did not change us. Our demand is clear: qisas (retribution) and nothing else, no matter what."Abdelfattah expressed surprise at the last-minute postponement of the execution, indicating that the Mahdi family did not anticipate this intervention. He said, "Those who stopped it are well aware of our absolute rejection of any form or method of reconciliation. We will follow through with the execution until it is carried out... Blood cannot be bought. Justice cannot be forgotten."Nimisha Priya, who has been on death row since 2018, hails from Kollengode in Palakkad. She was convicted of murdering Talal, with whom she had co-established a clinic in Sana'a, after he allegedly tortured her and confiscated her an effort to mediate, Sunni leader Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Muslaiyar, known as the "Grand Mufti" of India, has sought assistance from Yemeni Islamic scholar Sheikh Habib Omar to persuade the Mahdi family to accept blood money and grant a pardon to the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council reported, "We have been waging a legal battle and making diplomatic moves to rescue Nimisha Priya for the past five years. Talks between Musaliyar and the family over blood money are becoming complicated... This is creating problems for Nimisha's acquittal."(With inputs from TOI)
India.com
6 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
‘All Possible Assistance Being Offered': MEA On Nimisha Priyas Death Row Case
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said it is making 'concerted efforts' to assist Nimisha Priya, a Kerala-born nurse turned entrepreneur who is currently lodged in a Yemeni jail and faces imminent execution following her conviction in a 2017 murder case. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday confirmed that the Indian government has been actively involved in extending legal support and engaging with Yemeni authorities, as well as with friendly foreign governments, in an attempt to secure clemency. 'The Government of India has been offering all possible assistance. We have provided legal assistance and appointed a lawyer to assist the family. We are in touch with local authorities and her family to resolve this issue,' Jaiswal said at a weekly press briefing. 'This included concerted efforts in the last few days to seek more time for her family to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party.' #WATCH | Delhi | On the case of Nimisha Priya, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "... The government of India has been offering all possible assistance. We have provided legal assistance and appointed a lawyer to assist the family... We are also in touch with local… — ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2025 He added that India would continue to monitor the situation closely and provide all possible support to the family. Priya, who moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her family back home, initially worked as a nurse before setting up her clinic. Her troubles began in 2017 when a business dispute erupted with her Yemeni partner, Mehdi. She allegedly administered sedatives to him in an attempt to retrieve her confiscated passport. The sedatives reportedly proved fatal. Priya was arrested while trying to leave the country and was convicted of murder in 2018. A Yemeni court sentenced her to death in 2020, a verdict that was upheld by the Supreme Judicial Council of Yemen in November 2023. However, under Yemeni law, there remains a narrow window for clemency through a blood money arrangement, where the victim's family agrees to pardon in exchange for compensation. Following reports that an execution date had been set, politicians across party lines in Kerala have appealed to the Union government and the President of India for immediate intervention. Earlier, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to use all diplomatic channels to secure a stay on the execution. Opposition leaders have also echoed similar demands, pressing for humanitarian considerations in Priya's case. Human rights groups have flagged the case as urgent, noting both the complexities of international law and the limited access India has in war-torn Yemen, where diplomatic presence is minimal.
Pink Villa
6 days ago
- Business
- Pink Villa
Devdutt Padikkal's net worth in 2025: IPL salaries, endorsement deals, and off-field earnings
Devdutt Padikkal is proving there's more than one way to win in cricket. While others flash their lifestyle online, he's focused on staying consistent, both with the bat and the bank balance. At just 25, the Kerala-born southpaw has already become one of the highest earners among his generation, thanks to a strong IPL (Indian Premier League) presence and a growing list of brand endorsements. With every season, his value continues to climb, even when injury kept him off the field in key games. IPL windfalls and domestic domination Padikkal's rise in Indian cricket has been closely tied to the IPL. Between 2022 and 2023, he earned Rs 7.75 crore a season with Rajasthan Royals and then Lucknow Super Giants. In 2024, RCB brought him back at the same price. This year, though, they retained him at Rs 2 crore—a notable dip, but still a solid figure. In the 2025 IPL, he put up 247 runs in 10 games with a sharp strike rate of 150.61. A hamstring injury kept him out of the final, but it didn't stop his stock from climbing elsewhere. At the 2025 Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 auction, Padikkal became the most expensive player on the list. Hubli Tigers picked him up for Rs 13.20 lakh, more than any other cricketer in the event. Today, his total IPL earnings come to over Rs 25 crore, per Mint. Endorsements and lifestyle: Low-key, high value When it comes to brand deals, Padikkal is not short on offers. He has teamed up with Puma, Vivo, Eatfit, and SS, brands that know his market appeal. These deals add a significant chunk to his income without overexposing his image. His personal life is surprisingly grounded. He lives in a well-kept home in Edappal, Kerala, and drives a Toyota Fortuner and Kia Seltos—both smart, practical picks. No sports cars. No designer collections. And no high-end shopping sprees making headlines. Padikkal keeps his finances tight. Little is known about his investments, as he prefers to stay quiet about where his money goes. Per MyKhel, Devdutt Padikkal's estimated net worth, as of 2025, is between Rs 19 and Rs 22 crore. Disclaimer: All amounts mentioned in the article are sourced from public platforms, including MyKhel and Mint. In some cases, celebrities or their teams give their inputs too, which we incorporate if provided by them. We take all efforts to share possible accurate numbers, however unless otherwise mentioned they are all approximates. We are open to feedback and suggestions on editorial@
