Shahzadi Khan, a 33-year-old Indian woman from Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, was executed on February 15, 2025, after being convicted of murdering an infant under her care. The execution took place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where local laws were followed after her appeals for clemency were denied.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on February 28, 2025, via communication with the Indian Embassy, "the sentence of Shahzadi has been carried out in accordance with local laws." It was reported earlier by additional solicitor general Chetan Sharma, who represented the MEA, detailing the involvement of the highest judicial authority, the UAE's Court of Cassation, which upheld Khan's death sentence.
Khan had been under the care of an Emirati family since December 2021, as their caregiver. The situation escalated following the tragic death of the infant under her care, which occurred after routine vaccinations back in December 2022. Initially, the child's parents waived any claim for investigation. Still, the case turned on its head when, in February 2023, a video surfaced allegedly depicting Shahzadi confessing to murder, securing her arrest on February 10, 2023.
"She was not provided justice. I tried my best. I don't have enough money to go there and hire a lawyer. The government did not support us," expressed her father, Shabbir Khan, who had been desperately seeking help from Indian authorities since the commencement of legal proceedings. His pleas, which included multiple petitions to the MEA, for clarification about Shahzadi's situation, went unanswered until it was too late.
The formal sentencing occurred on July 31, 2023, with the Court of Cassation upholding the death penalty on February 28, 2024, dismissing all subsequent legal appeals and mercy petitions, which alleged coercion in her confession and lack of adequate legal representation. The Indian Embassy provided legal support, including sending mercy requests, but her pleas faced significant hurdles.
The emotional toll on Shabbir has been unbearable. "My daughter called me on February 14, hinting at her imminent execution. I filed something urgent on February 20 to the MEA about her situation, but by then, it was too late; she had already been executed," he shared, his voice heavy with sorrow.
The case has drawn attention to broader issues surrounding justice for Indian nationals, especially women working abroad. The lack of substantial support mechanisms for expatriates raises significant questions. Shabbir Khan's relentless efforts culminated with the Indian government stating they are offering assistance to his family, ensuring they are informed about the necessary arrangements for Shahzadi's last rites, scheduled for March 5, 2025.
The Indian authorities confirmed they were deeply troubled over the entire episode and pledged to extend help during this tragic time, assuring Shabbir of their continued support.
This heartbreaking execution highlights systemic flaws within legal assistance and representation for Indians abroad, particularly those engaged as expatriates. Despite regular visits by the Indian Embassy, families like Shahzadi's are left feeling adrift, struggling against foreign legal systems without sufficient aid from their home country.
Shabbir Khan's case is not just one of personal loss but speaks to the need for reform and much more proactive measures to protect Indian workers abroad from tragedies like this.
With Shahzadi's tragic fate now sealed, her family is left to grapple with the aftermath, raising urgent questions not only about justice but about the inherent risks faced by expatriates, highlighting the need for reform and protective measures for those working under foreign legal frameworks.
The MEA, upon confirming the execution, stressed its commitment to the welfare of its citizens and has provided the family's contact for coordination with the Embassy on necessary arrangements, underscoring the human side of this tragedy.