Nimisha Priya the Palakkad Nurse Who Captivated a Nation
Who is Nimisha Priya?
Nimisha Priya is a nurse from Palakkad, Kerala, whose life took a dramatic turn that has captured the attention of people across India and beyond. Born and brought up in the serene town of Palakkad, Nimisha was known for her dedication to nursing and her dreams of building a better future for her family.
The Journey from Palakkad to Yemen
Like many Malayalis, Nimisha sought opportunities abroad to support her family. She moved to Yemen, where she worked as a nurse in a private hospital. Her journey, however, was filled with challenges. Reports suggest she faced exploitation and abuse at the hands of her Yemeni employer, which set the stage for a tragic sequence of events.
The Controversial Case
In 2015, Nimisha partnered with Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mehdi to open a clinic in Sanaa, as local law required a Yemeni sponsor. Over time, Talal allegedly took control of the clinic’s finances, subjected Nimisha to abuse, and confiscated her passport. He reportedly forged documents to claim they were married and used threats and extortion to control her. In 2017, Nimisha Priya was arrested and sentenced to death by a Yemeni court for killing her employer in a desperate attempt to escape and retrieve her passport where she tried to sedate Talal which went wrong, resulting in his death. Her defense claimed she acted in self-defense after months of abuse. The case drew huge attention in Kerala, raising concerns about the struggles of Indian migrant workers, especially women, in the Middle East.
The “Save Nimisha Priya” Campaign
Back home in Palakkad, Nimisha’s family and supporters launched the “Save Nimisha Priya” campaign, seeking clemency and justice for her. The campaign gained momentum, with activists, politicians, and celebrities calling on the Indian government to intervene. The case also highlighted the need for stronger protections for Indian workers abroad.
A Moment Of Heartbreak
On July 11, 2025, Nimisha’s husband said she was officially told her execution date being July 16, 2025 by authorities at the Central Prison in Sanaa. She shared the news with him through WhatsApp, expressing her distress. Human rights activist Samuel Jerome, who supports Nimisha’s mother Prema Kumari, also confirmed the date. Prema has been in Yemen for months, trying desperately to save her daughter.
Community Response
Palakkad, known for its vibrant community and strong diaspora connections, rallied behind Nimisha. Fundraisers, prayer meetings, and awareness drives became common sights in the town. The people of Palakkad saw Nimisha not just as a victim, but as a symbol of the struggles faced by many Keralites working overseas. Tomy Thomas and Nimisha’s supporters have alerted Indian authorities and met with Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who assured full support and spoke directly with Prema Kumari via video call. The family, along with the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council (formed by Non-Resident Keralites and Indians worldwide), continues to seek urgent intervention from both the state and central governments.
Nimisha’s only daughter, now 12, lives in a convent in Kerala. Her mother works as a domestic helper in Ernakulam, and her husband is an autorickshaw driver. The family is in significant debt, and the emotional toll on them has been immense. Nimisha Priya’s story is one of hope, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Palakkad. It is a call to action for better protection of migrant workers and a testament to the power of community support. As her fate hangs in the balance, the people of Palakkad and all of India watch and hope for justice.
