We don’t want credit for delaying Nimisha Priya’s execution; let them take it: Kanthapuram

Kozhikode: Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, an influential Sunni leader from Kerala and the tenth Grand Mufti of India, has once again spoken about the case of Nimisha Priya, the Indian nurse facing the death penalty in Yemen.

Speaking at an event in Palakkad, Kanthapuram said that some people are trying to take credit for the postponement of Nimisha’s execution. However, he made it clear that he and his team were only doing their duty and were not looking for any recognition or praise.

“Some are trying to take credit. We don’t want any of that. Let them have it if they want. We only did what we felt was our responsibility,” he reportedly said at the SSF Sahithyolsavam.

He explained that in cases involving the death penalty under Islamic law, the victim’s family has the right to forgive the convict, either without asking for anything, or by accepting compensation, known as diya (blood money).

Statement on execution delay

Earlier, Kanthapuram’s office released a statement claiming that Nimisha Priya’s execution had been delayed, just hours before it was supposed to happen. He also shared a copy of the reported court order on his official Facebook page. 

According to Kanthapuram, the victim’s family had earlier refused any compensation and wanted the execution to go ahead. But he claimed that after intervention from Sufi scholars, the family changed its mind, which allowed the execution to be postponed.

Despite these claims, there has not yet been any official statement from the central government confirming Kanthapuram’s role or the status of the case.