The Nimisha Priya case took a new turn on Monday after Abdul Fatah Mahdi, brother of the victim Talal Abdo Mahdi, accused Samuel Jerome of misappropriating funds collected in Nimisha Priya’s name.
Nimisha Priya Case: In the latest development in the Nimisha Priya Case, the victim Talal Abdo Mahdi’s brother, Abdul Fatah Mahdi, accused media activist Samuel Jerome of misusing funds collected in Nimisha Priya’s name. He alleged that Jerome presented himself as a lawyer and had collated hefty donations without the knowledge of the victim’s family in Yemen. These donations also included USD 40,000, which was raised through crowdfunding.
Mahdi also accused Jerome of profiting from their tragedy while claiming to act as a mediator. “The truth will be revealed if he does not stop his deceitful narrative,” he said.
Council Distances Itself From Jerome
Amid all these, the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council has distanced itself from Jerome.
As per Subhash Chandran KR, the council’s legal advisor, Jerome left the group on December 28, last year, just a day after receiving USD20,000 through the embassy. Chandran said Jerome’s exit seemed to come after the council began questioning his actions.
Chandran further said the action council took the decision to disassociate itself from Jerome, vice chairperson Deepa Joseph and member Babu John after they insulted people responsible for the mediation efforts after July 15 suspension of the execution by Yemeni authorities.
“They questioned the validity of the stay order and insulted Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar and Yemeni Sufi scholars involved in mediation, falsely claiming they were not part of it,” said Chandran.
Council Offered Its Apologies
The council apologised to Talal Mahdi’s family for the distress caused by certain individuals involved in the case. Chandran stated that both Nimisha Priya’s and Talal Mahdi’s families had been misled and were victims of deception.
Amid all this, MLA Chandy Oommen met A.P. Aboobacker Musliar in Kozhikode, thanking him for his intervention which led to the suspension of Priya’s execution on July 16. Oommen urged Aboobacker Musliar to continue his efforts for the safe release of Nimisha Priya.
