Houthis, Israel strikes on Yemen make Nimisha case complex; being handled with caution: officials

Sensitive case of Nimisha Priya involving Houthis in Yemen being handled cautiously by Indian officials, facing unique challenges.

The case of Nimisha Priya is sensitive and is being handled with great caution as it involves the Houthis, who control the Yemeni capital Sanaa and with whom India does not maintain any official contact, sources here indicated on Tuesday (December 31, 2024).

Officials familiar with the case said Yemen is being run by three different groups, with the Houthis in charge of the capital and in a capacity to influence all important institutions of the country located in Sanaa, making the case unique.

Also read:On a journey fraught with danger to save her daughter on death row

Earlier, the official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said the Ministry of External Affairs was aware that the family of Ms. Nimisha was “exploring relevant options”.

Apart from its internal political breakdown, Yemen’s major cities, including Sanaa, are being bombed by Israeli, U.S. and U.K. fighter jets that are targeting the Houthis, thereby contributing to the factors relevant to the case.

“The government is extending all possible help in the matter,” said Mr. Jaiswal in a statement issued on Tuesday (December 31, 2024).

Ms. Nimisha received the death sentence after being convicted of killing her Yemeni business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi. In 2014, she had reportedly received support from Talal to start a hospital business but ties between the two soured subsequently to such an extent that she accused him of abuse and intimidation. In 2017, acting on the suggestion of at least one local person, Ms. Nimisha administered sedatives to Talal to retrieve her travel documents which led to his death.