MEA Updates Delhi High Court On Shahzadi Khan Case, Says She Was Executed On Feb 15

The Ministry of External Affairs pn Monday informed the Delhi High Court that Shahzadi Khan, who was sentenced to death in the UAE for a child's death under her care, was executed on February 15. The ministry and the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi will assist her family with travel arrangements to perform her last rites on March 5.

Shahzadi Khan, a 33-year-old caregiver from Uttar Pradesh's Banda district, travelled to Abu Dhabi on December 19, 2022, on a tourist visa. She stayed with a couple who later arranged a caretaker visa for her. They employed her to look after their infant son.

Legal Proceedings and Execution

In February 2023, the couple handed Shahzadi over to Abu Dhabi police, accusing her of killing their infant. On July 31, 2023, she was sentenced to death by the court of first instance. This decision was upheld by the appellate court on February 28, 2024. Before her execution, she was held at Al Wathba central jail.

The ministry's additional solicitor general (ASG), Chetan Sharma, informed Justice Sachin Datta that efforts were made to save Shahzadi by hiring legal representation. Despite these efforts, the court described her death as "unfortunate" and dismissed the petition filed by Shahzadi's father, Shabbir Khan.

Father's Plea and Concerns

Shabbir Khan had filed a petition seeking directions for the Centre and embassy to verify his daughter's legal status. He claimed that after a call from his daughter on February 14 about an impending execution, he requested an inquiry into her status. However, he alleged that no action was taken by the ministry.

Khan also mentioned that after the appeal's dismissal, he wrote to the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi requesting clemency proceedings according to local law but received no response. His plea highlighted that his daughter allegedly confessed to homicide under duress through torture and abuse.

Controversy Over Infant's Death

The plea further stated that the infant died in December 2022 following routine vaccinations. Although the hospital recommended a postmortem to determine the cause of death, the parents refused it. A video recording purportedly showing Shahzadi confessing was obtained but is claimed to have been coerced.