Shahzadi Khan, a 33-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district, is on death row in Abu Dhabi after being convicted of allegedly killing a child in her care. Her family is devastated by this stunning turn of events, and even with the increasing evidence in her favor, her execution hangs over her.
False Promises of a Better Future
Shahzadi’s life took a tragic turn when she was lured to Abu Dhabi with promises of a better future. She was connected to a man named Uzair, a social worker from Agra, via Facebook during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021. Uzair offered Shahzadi the chance to receive medical treatment for severe burns she had suffered as a child.
Her father, Shabbir Khan, a farmer from Banda, explained how Uzair had promised her medical treatment in the UAE and assured her that she would be able to come back after a short trip. “Uzair told her he would be able to get her better medical attention in the UAE and, circumstances permitting, even a job,” Shabbir explained to The Independent.
But when Shahzadi reached Abu Dhabi in November 2021, she realized what the truth was. Her visa was not 90 days, as had been informed to her, but six months. Worse still, she was sold to Faiz and Nadia, a married couple, as bonded labor. The couple was residing in Abu Dhabi, and Shahzadi was now a servant taking care of their four-month-old baby.
Shabbir was relieved at first that Shahzadi had food and shelter, but his relief gave way to worry when she went silent to his calls for ten days.
Tragic Death of the Infant
In February 2022, tragedy struck when the infant Shahzadi was taken care of and died in suspicious circumstances. The couple promptly blamed her for the death of the child, which prompted an investigation and, ultimately, her arrest.
Shahzadi was found guilty of smothering the baby, reportedly in a fit of rage because of abuse and non-payment of wages. Shahzadi and her father, however, maintain that the baby died of medical negligence. They claim the child had been given a vaccine earlier that day and had a fever.
Shabbir alleges that his daughter was compelled to write a false confession and was set up for the killing of the baby. “She didn’t do it. My daughter is innocent,” he told the judge, stating that a lack of funds made him unable to arrange good legal representation for Shahzadi.
The Family’s Desperate Fight for Mercy
Shahzadi’s family has fought tirelessly for her release. Last year, her father, Shabbir Khan, made an emotional plea to the UAE’s ruling family, as well as to Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He appealed for mercy, asking for a thorough investigation into his daughter’s case and for the arrest of Uzair, who was allegedly involved in her trafficking.
“My daughter’s death sentence was originally set for 2 May 2023,” Shabbir remembered.” But it was delayed because of the heavy floods in the UAE and the death of a member of the royal family, and there was a mourning period.” Shabbir, however, was told that Shahzadi may be executed at any moment after September 20 as a result of the postponements.
Shahzadi made a heartbreaking “last phone call” to her family in the middle of February 2023. Shahzadi told them that the jail captain had threatened to have her put to death and that she was being held in solitary confinement.
But the Indian Embassy in the UAE later issued a clarification that the reports of her immediate execution were wrong. The embassy informed that a review petition was moved, and the case continued to be under investigation. “The report that Ms Shahzadi will be executed within 24 hours is incorrect. The embassy has confirmed this from the UAE authorities,” a source informed The New Indian Express.
A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Uncertainty
Shahzadi is still facing the death penalty, but there is some hope now that her case is being reviewed. Her family is still optimistic that Shahzadi will be brought home safely and that justice will be served.
“We tell her to have faith in God, that He will save her,” Shabbir said, recalling his last conversation with Shahzadi. “But it’s hard to keep the faith when you’re facing death.”
The family continues to hold out hope that Shahzadi’s innocence will be established and she will be spared from execution one day. The international community has also called for responsibility for the erroneous prosecution of an innocent woman who was the victim of a tragic turn of circumstances, as well as an impartial and sufficient investigation into the case.
