Shahzadi Khan, an Indian national who had been on death row in Abu Dhabi for charges related to the death of a four-month-old child, was executed on February 15, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement to the Delhi High Court.Â
The ministry also informed the court that her last rites would be conducted in Abu Dhabi on March 5, with full assistance provided to her family. The court, led by Justice Sachin Datta, described the case as “unfortunate” before disposing of the plea filed by Shahzadi’s father, Shabbir Khan, who had sought official confirmation regarding his daughter’s legal status.
The Journey to Abu Dhabi and Employment as a Caregiver
According to official records, Shahzadi Khan, a native of Banda district in Uttar Pradesh, moved to Abu Dhabi in December 2021 on a legal visa in search of employment. By August 2022, she had secured a job as a caregiver for a family’s newborn son. Her responsibilities involved looking after the infant, ensuring his well-being, and managing daily childcare routines. However, a tragic turn of events in December 2022 led to her arrest and eventual conviction.
The Infant’s Death and Allegations Against Shahzadi Khan
On December 7, 2022, the infant under Shahzadi’s care received routine vaccinations. However, later that evening, the child unexpectedly passed away. The parents of the deceased baby allegedly declined to conduct a postmortem and signed an agreement waiving any further investigation into the matter. Despite this, Shahzadi was handed over to the Abu Dhabi police on February 10, 2023, under allegations of causing the infant’s death.
Shahzadi’s father, Shabbir Khan, has consistently maintained his daughter’s innocence. He claimed that the accusations against her were fabricated and further alleged that a confession video, recorded in February 2023, was obtained through coercion and torture by the child’s family. He also accused the Indian Embassy’s legal counsel of pressuring Shahzadi into admitting the crime while denying her adequate legal representation.
Legal Proceedings and Death Sentence Confirmation
Following her arrest, Shahzadi Khan was put on trial in Abu Dhabi. On July 31, 2023, she was found guilty and sentenced to death by the court. Her legal appeal against the sentence was dismissed in September 2023, further sealing her fate. On February 28, 2024, the Abu Dhabi court reaffirmed the death penalty, rejecting all remaining legal options for reprieve.
Shabbir Khan continued to fight for his daughter’s life, submitting a mercy petition to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi on July 11, 2024. However, he reportedly received no response to his appeal. With no intervention from the authorities, Shahzadi remained on death row.
Final Moments and Execution
On February 14, 2025, just a day before her execution, Shahzadi Khan made a distressing phone call to her father from prison. She indicated that her execution was imminent, and there was little hope left for a last-minute intervention. The next day, February 15, she was executed in Abu Dhabi.
Following the execution, the Ministry of External Affairs assured Shahzadi’s family that full assistance would be provided for her last rites, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on March 5. Despite the unfortunate outcome, the case has raised serious concerns about legal representation, due process, and the treatment of foreign nationals accused of crimes in foreign jurisdictions.
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With a passion for news writing and a deep interest in Journalism, Bowrna wants to write articles that create an impact. Not only writing, she also has a passion for voiceovers and also aspires to become a Radio Jockey in the future. When not writing, she likes to listen to songs and dance to her heart's content. She is proficient in English, Tamil and Hindi.
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