Shahzadi Khan, a 33-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district, is facing the death penalty in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after being convicted of allegedly murdering a child in her care. Currently imprisoned in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba jail, her case has garnered significant attention following reports suggesting that her execution was imminent.
This controversy surfaced on Monday, February 17, when multiple reports speculated that Shahzadi’s execution was scheduled to take place within 24 hours. The claims were fueled by an emotional phone call she made to her family a day earlier, on Sunday, February 16, in which she tearfully told her father:
"The report that Ms. Shahzadi will be executed within 24 hours is incorrect. The embassy has confirmed this with UAE authorities. A review petition in her case has been filed, and the matter is under investigation," Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
The Indian embassy in the UAE has since confirmed that Shahzadi’s execution is not imminent and they continue to follow up on her case as legal proceedings unfold.
Shahzadi’s ordeal began in 2021 when she was lured to Abu Dhabi by a man named Uzair, whom she had met on Facebook. Uzair allegedly promised her employment and medical treatment for severe burns she had suffered as a child. However, upon her arrival, Shahzadi was reportedly sold into bonded labor.
Forced to work as a domestic worker, Shahzadi was tasked with caring for a couple’s four-month-old baby. In a tragic turn of events, the infant passed away in February 2022. The grieving parents accused Shahzadi of murder, leading to her arrest and eventual conviction.
"Shahzadi asphyxiated the baby in a 'spur of the moment' act, supposedly out of frustration over mistreatment and unpaid wages."
Despite these allegations, Shahzadi has maintained her innocence, asserting that she was a victim of human trafficking and had no involvement in the child's death.
Back in India, Shahzadi’s family has been tirelessly fighting to save her, appealing to both the Indian government and UAE authorities for clemency. In 2024, her father, Shabbir Khan, formally appealed to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging them to intervene in his daughter’s case.
In his letter, Shabbir Khan demanded a comprehensive investigation into the case, alleging that Shahzadi was deliberately framed. He also called for the arrest of Uzair, who is reportedly "on the run" after the high court refused to dismiss the case against him, although he was granted permission to seek bail from a lower court.
Shahzadi’s execution was initially scheduled for May 2023 but was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. With a review petition now in progress, her family remains hopeful that justice will prevail and that she will be granted clemency in light of the allegations of trafficking and wrongful conviction.
As legal proceedings continue, her case has sparked discussions around the treatment of migrant workers, human trafficking and the urgent need for stronger diplomatic interventions in cases involving foreign nationals facing capital punishment.