No Mercy: Victim's Brother Rejects ₹8.5 crore Blood money for Nimisha Priya, Insists on Death penalty

Sanaa (Uttam Hindu News): Efforts to release Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who is facing death sentence in a murder case in Yemen's capital Sanaa, have suffered a major setback. The family of deceased Talal Abdo Mahdi has flatly refused to forgive Nimisha, rejecting the offer of blood money (blood for blood or compensation amount) of Rs 8.5 crore. The deceased's brother has said that the family wants death in revenge (Qisas) and Nimisha should be hanged.

However, Nimisha's execution, which was earlier scheduled for July 16, has been postponed for the time being after efforts by the Indian government. Efforts to save Nimisha's life are still on from the family and the government.

The family of the deceased said - Justice will be done.

Abdul Fatah Mahdi, brother of the deceased Talal, clarified in a statement to BBC Arabic that the family is demanding 'Qisas'. 'Qisas' is an Islamic legal term, which describes the principle of retributive justice or revenge. Abdul said, "Justice will be done, even if it is delayed. The family will neither forgive nor accept blood money in exchange for sparing Nimisha Priya's life. He should be hanged."

Efforts of Indian Government continue, information given in Supreme Court

Earlier, the Central Government had told the Supreme Court on Friday (July 18) that it is making every effort to ensure the safe release of Nimisha. The government informed the bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta that the hanging scheduled for July 16 has been stayed for the time being. At the same time, the petitioner organization 'Save Nimisha Priya - International Action Council' has requested the Center to send a delegation to Yemen so that direct talks can be held with the victim's family, on which the bench has asked the petitioner to present his side before the government.

Meanwhile, social activist Samuel Jerome, who has been trying to save Nimisha for the last five years, said, "The attitude of the Yemen government has been completely compassionate, but we have to understand the pain of Talal's family. We will have to continue talks with India and the Yemen government to win their trust and get Nimisha pardoned".