India’s Grand Mufti cites Islamic law in Nimisha Priya case delay

Nimisha Priya, a Kerala nurse, was arrested in July 2017 for the murder of a Yemeni man who was her business partner. Her execution in Yemen has now been postponed, thanks in part to the intervention of India’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar.

Speaking to the media, Kanthapuram explained that Islamic law offers a path to pardon in such cases. "Islam provides the victim’s family with the right to pardon the murderer," he said. Though he does not personally know the victim’s family, the Grand Mufti reached out to respected Islamic scholars in Yemen, urging them to open dialogue with the family.

“I contacted responsible scholars in Yemen from a distance and helped them understand the humanitarian aspects. Islam is a religion that upholds humanity,” he told ANI.

The scholars responded positively, held discussions, and officially communicated that the execution has been postponed. This delay, according to Kanthapuram, creates a valuable window to continue negotiations with the victim’s family for a possible pardon.

“This document confirming the postponement will now support further conversations aimed at securing mercy for Nimisha Priya,” the Grand Mufti added.