An Indian woman, Shahzadi Khan, who was facing a death sentence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been executed, the Foreign Ministry informed the Delhi High Court on Monday. Thirty-three-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district was facing execution in Abu Dhabi over an allegation of killing a four-month-old child.
Shahzadi Khan was executed on February 15, 2025, in accordance with the laws and regulations of UAE, the Foreign Minister told the court.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma said the Indian embassy in UAE received an official communication about Khan’s execution from the government on February 28.
“Authorities are extending all possible assistance and that her cremation is scheduled for March 5, 2025,” he added.
This came after Khan’s father Shabbir Khan approached the court seeking to access information regarding the exact current legal status and well-being of his daughter.
Following the Ministry’s submissions, the court disposed of the plea calling it a “sad and unfortunate” incident.
Shahzadi Khan Case
Shahzadi Khan was imprisoned in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba jail and was sentenced to death for the death of a child who was under her care.
According to Shabbir Khan’s petition, his daughter travelled to Abu Dhabi in December 2021 after obtaining a legal visa.
In August 2022, her employer gave birth to a son for whom Khan was employed as a caregiver. The infant passed away on December 7, 2022, after receiving routine vaccinations.
The plea also mentioned a video recording which allegedly showed Khan confessing to the infant’s homicide in December 2023. However, it claimed that the confession was extracted through torture and abuse by her employer and family.
It also claimed that the infant’s parents refused consent for a postmortem and signed an agreement to waive further investigation into the death.
The man alleged that while the Indian Embassy did provide his daughter with legal counsel, she was pressured into confessing to homicide and denied her adequate representation.
Khan’s appeal in September 2023 was dismissed, and the death penalty was upheld on February 28, 2024.
Following this, Shabbir Khan had filed a new mercy petition in May 2024. On February 14, 2025, he received a call from his incarcerated daughter, suggesting imminent execution. He then filed a formal request with the Foreign Ministry on February 20, 2025, seeking an inquiry into her legal status and wellbeing, but received no update.