Indian Woman on Death Row in UAE Executed for Alleged Child Murder

New Delhi: An Indian woman from Uttar Pradesh, Shahzadi Khan, who had been sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for allegedly murdering a four-month-old child, was executed on February 15, 2025, the Indian Foreign Ministry informed the Delhi High Court on Monday.

The 33-year-old woman from Banda district had been imprisoned in Abu Dhabi's Al Wathba Jail after being convicted in the case. The execution was carried out in accordance with UAE's legal framework, officials confirmed.

Family's Plea and Embassy's Confirmation

During the court proceedings, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma stated that the Indian Embassy in UAE was officially informed about the execution on February 28.

"Authorities are extending all possible assistance to the family. Her cremation is scheduled for March 5, 2025," he said.

The statement came after Shahzadi Khan’s father, Shabbir Khan, approached the Delhi High Court, seeking information about his daughter's legal status and well-being. Following the government’s update, the court disposed of the petition, calling it a "sad and unfortunate" case.

Case Background: Alleged Crime and Legal Battle

Khan, who had moved to Abu Dhabi in December 2021 on a legal work visa, was employed as a caregiver for a child born to her employer in August 2022.

According to her family, the infant died on December 7, 2022, shortly after receiving routine vaccinations. However, Khan was accused of deliberately causing the child's death and was arrested soon after.

The case took a turn in December 2023, when a video recording surfaced, allegedly showing Khan confessing to the murder. Her family, however, claimed that the confession was extracted under torture by her employer and their relatives.

Allegations of Forced Confession and Denial of Fair Trial

Shabbir Khan’s petition also pointed out that the infant’s parents refused consent for a postmortem and signed an agreement waiving further investigation into the child’s death.

Furthermore, the family alleged that while the Indian Embassy provided legal assistance, Khan was pressured into admitting to the crime and denied proper legal representation during the trial.

Her appeal was dismissed in September 2023, and the death sentence was upheld on February 28, 2024.

Last-Minute Mercy Plea and Execution

In a final attempt to save his daughter, Shabbir Khan filed a mercy petition in May 2024, seeking intervention from UAE authorities. However, the appeal was ultimately rejected.

On February 14, 2025, a day before her execution, Shahzadi Khan contacted her family, hinting at an imminent execution. After this, her father urgently approached the Foreign Ministry on February 20, 2025, seeking a formal inquiry into her status but received no response until news of her execution surfaced.

Aftermath and Diplomatic Implications

While the Indian government has stated that it provided legal support, the case has raised concerns over the treatment of foreign domestic workers and the fairness of legal proceedings in foreign courts.

With Khan’s execution now confirmed, her family is demanding further investigation into the case, arguing that her conviction was based on coerced evidence and that she did not receive a fair trial.