The burial of Shahzadi Khan, a 33-year-old Indian national from Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district, was conducted in Abu Dhabi following her execution for the murder of an infant, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed.
According to the MEA’s XP Division, “Burial of Ms. Shahzadi Khan, an Indian national, was conducted today in Abu Dhabi as per regulations of UAE authorities. Prior to her burial, the authorised representatives of Ms. Shahzadi’s family paid respect to the mortal remains. They also attended the funeral prayers at the mosque as well as the burial at the Baniyas cemetery. Embassy officials assisted the authorised representatives in this regard as well as attended the last rites.”
Shahzadi, who had been employed as a caregiver in Abu Dhabi, was sentenced to death for the murder of an infant under her care. The UAE’s highest court, the Court of Cassation, upheld her sentence, and authorities carried out the execution in accordance with local laws, the MEA had stated earlier this week. It further said that the Indian Embassy in the UAE provided all possible legal assistance to Shahzadi, including filing mercy petitions and pardon requests with the UAE government.
The UAE authorities officially communicated to the Indian Embassy on 28 February that her execution had been carried out on 15 February, as per the ministry.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, representing the Centre, on Monday informed the Delhi High Court that the MEA had extended all possible assistance to Shahzadi’s family. Advocate Ashish Dikshit, appearing alongside the ASG, stated that her cremation is scheduled for 5 March, news agency ANI reported. The court disposed of a plea filed by her father, Shabbir Khan, seeking the MEA’s intervention in ascertaining the legal status and well-being of his daughter.
Shabbir was informed about his daughter’s execution on 15 February and was asked to visit the UAE by 5 March to participate in her last rites. The Indian Embassy also provided him with a dedicated mobile number for further assistance, according to the MEA.
Shahzadi Khan's Conviction In Murder Case And Execution
Shahzadi had been sentenced to death for the murder of an infant born in August 2022. The child, under her care, had received routine vaccinations on 7 December 2022 and passed away the same evening. While the hospital suggested a post-mortem, the parents declined further investigation and signed a consent letter waiving it.
In February 2023, a video recording allegedly showed Shahzadi confessing to the infant’s murder. However, she later claimed that the confession was coerced through torture and abuse by her employer and their family. She was handed over to Abu Dhabi police on 10 February 2023 and sentenced to death on 31 July 2023.
Her appeal against the death penalty was dismissed in September 2023, and the sentence was upheld by the court on 28 February 2024. Following this, her father sought clemency proceedings through the Indian Embassy. However, he initially received a response concerning an unrelated case. He submitted a fresh mercy petition in May 2024 and another to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi on 11 July 2024 but did not receive a response, as per ANI.
On 14 February, a day before the execution, Shahzadi called her father from prison, suggesting that her execution was imminent. Recalling his last conversation with her, Shabbir said, “She was not given justice. I tried my best. I have been trying since last year. I don’t have enough money to go there (Abu Dhabi) and hire a lawyer. The government did not support us.”
In response, he filed a formal request with the MEA on 20 February 2025, seeking clarity on her legal status and well-being.