An Indian woman who worked as a domestic helper in the United Arab Emirates has been executed after she was convicted of killing her employers' baby. Shahzadi Khan, who worked for an Indian couple, was executed on February 15, 2025, according to the Indian government. According to court documents from Abu Dhabi, Khan asphyxiated the boy, but a doctor who testified at the trial could not confirm this since he had not been allowed to perform a post-mortem.
Khan's family maintains she was innocent, alleging the four-month-old infant died from complications following an incorrect vaccination on the day of his death. They claimed Khan did not receive adequate representation during her trial, raising questions about the justice she received.
The execution was confirmed by Indian authorities on March 3, 2025, only after Khan's parents petitioned the Delhi High Court seeking information about their daughter. The family's persistent efforts to gain clarity highlight the troubling circumstances surrounding the case.
According to Khan's father, she moved to Abu Dhabi in December 2021 to work as a caregiver. She was responsible for taking care of the baby, who was born in August 2022. The family stated she often communicated with them through video calls, showcasing the baby and sharing her life abroad. This contact abruptly ceased after December 7, 2022, when the baby died.
Law enforcement apprehended Khan two months later, and during this time, she insisted a recorded confession she made was coerced. Her legal struggles continued until she was sentenced to death on July 31, 2023. Her subsequent appeal was dismissed earlier this year, on February 2024.
The last correspondence Khan had with her family was on February 13, 2025, shortly before her execution. "She kept crying and said she was put in a separate cell, and she would not come out alive and might be executed the next day," her father recounted, illustrating the fear and despair she felt.
After missing contact with her, Khan's family sought assistance from the Indian government to determine her fate. The shocking news of her execution was relayed to them during court proceedings, prompting outrage and sorrow. "I tried with the Indian government [to help reverse the judgment]. I had been running around since last year," Shabbir Khan emphasized, conveying his frustration over the limited support available to foreign nationals facing severe legal consequences.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reveals concerning statistics: as of February 2025, there are 54 Indians on death row across various countries, with 29 of those cases occurring within the UAE. The situation raises broader questions about the treatment and rights of migrant workers, particularly domestic employees who often lack support and resources.
While the Indian government has been informed about Khan’s execution only recently, her former employer stated, "Shahzadi brutally and intentionally killed my son, which has been proven by the authorities of the United Arab Emirates through all the evidence." This statement adds complexity to the discourse surrounding Khan's case, creating sharp divisions over perceptions of guilt and innocence.
The lack of transparency and communication from Emirati authorities—who did not notify either the Indian government or Khan’s family of her execution—has drawn heavy criticism. The shocking delay left her family scrambling for answers, only for them to learn of her death from the court hearing rather than from official government channels.
Such scenarios reflect not just on individual cases but also shed light on the systemic issues within the justice mechanism for foreign domestic workers. It raises alarms about the potential for wrongful convictions, ineffective legal representation, and the severe repercussions of being at the mercy of foreign legal systems.
Shahzadi Khan’s execution resonates not only within her family but serves as a stark reminder to many of the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers. Despite their hard work and sacrifices, many find themselves trapped within systems where justice may not be readily accessible.
With the emotional weight of this case, the last rites for Shahzadi Khan are scheduled to be held on March 5, 2025, marking the somber closure to a tragic story. The community continues to grieve, reflecting on the broader issues of justice and equity for those who venture abroad for brighter opportunities, only to face darker realities.