An Indian domestic worker, Shahzadi Khan, was executed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after being convicted of killing her employer’s four-month-old baby. The execution, which took place on 15 February 2024, was only confirmed by Indian authorities on 3 March 2024 after her family petitioned the Delhi High Court for information. Khan’s family maintains she was innocent, raising concerns about the fairness of the trial and the secrecy surrounding her case.
Who Was Shahzadi Khan?
Shahzadi Khan, a domestic worker from Uttar Pradesh, India, moved to Abu Dhabi in December 2021 to work for an Indian couple as a caregiver for their newborn child. According to her family, she frequently called home, showing them the baby over video calls, and seemed content with her job. However, everything changed when the infant died on 7 December 2022, just hours after receiving a routine vaccination.
Following the baby’s death, Khan’s calls stopped, and her family later discovered she had been arrested and detained in Abu Dhabi. The prosecution accused her of asphyxiating the child, though no post-mortem was conducted to verify the cause of death.
The Arrest and Trial
Police arrested Shahzadi Khan two months after the baby’s death. Authorities presented a video confession in which Khan allegedly admitted to the crime. However, she later insisted that the confession was forced under duress, and she had not received adequate legal representation during the trial.
Despite these concerns, an Abu Dhabi court sentenced her to death in July 2023. She appealed the verdict, but her appeal was rejected in February 2024.
Execution and Secrecy Around the Case
On 13 February 2024, Khan made what would be her final phone call to her family. According to her father, she was crying and said she had been moved to a separate cell, fearing she would be executed the following day.
After that call, her family heard nothing from her. When they failed to get any updates, they filed a petition with the Delhi High Court, seeking information from the Indian government about whether she had been executed.
It was only on 3 March 2024—more than two weeks after the execution—that Indian authorities officially confirmed her death. The lack of transparency and the delayed disclosure sparked widespread media attention in India, raising concerns about the treatment of Indian migrant workers in the UAE.
Family’s Claims of Injustice
Khan’s family continues to maintain her innocence, arguing that the baby’s death was caused by a vaccination error, not by suffocation. They believe she was wrongfully convicted due to a lack of proper legal representation and language barriers that may have affected her ability to defend herself in court.
Her father, Shabbir Khan, expressed his anguish, stating:
“She didn’t get justice. I have been running around for over a year, trying to get help. But I did not have the money to travel to Abu Dhabi or hire a lawyer.”
Khan’s family believes that if she had received proper legal support, the outcome might have been different. They also question why the post-mortem examination was not allowed, as it could have provided crucial evidence about the actual cause of death.
The Employer’s Response
While Khan’s family argues she was wrongly convicted, her employer strongly defends the UAE court’s decision. In a statement given to BBC Hindi, the employer claimed:
“Shahzadi brutally and intentionally killed my son, which has been proven by UAE authorities based on all the evidence. Misleading information is being shared in the media to shift the focus from the crime she committed.”
The employer’s statement reflects deep confidence in the UAE judicial process, though Khan’s family and supporters continue to question whether she was given a fair trial.
Indians on Death Row in Foreign Countries
Khan’s case has reignited discussions about the legal rights of Indian migrant workers in foreign countries, especially in the Gulf region, where many are employed as domestic helpers, construction workers, and blue-collar labourers.
According to recent data presented in the Indian Parliament, a total of 54 Indians are currently on death row in foreign countries, with 29 of them in the UAE. Many of these individuals face challenges such as limited access to legal assistance, language barriers, and a lack of consular support.
Diplomatic and Public Reaction
The secrecy surrounding Khan’s execution has led to public outcry in India, with many questioning why the Indian government did not intervene earlier to ensure she received fair legal representation. India and the UAE share strong diplomatic and economic ties, with thousands of Indian workers contributing to the UAE’s workforce. This case has raised concerns about whether Indian citizens facing legal troubles abroad are being adequately supported by their home country.
Activists and human rights organisations argue that stronger legal aid mechanisms should be in place for Indian citizens arrested abroad. Some have also called for the Indian government to negotiate treaties that allow more transparency in legal proceedings involving its nationals.
Key Issues Raised by the Case
- Transparency in the Legal Process: The lack of a post-mortem report and the alleged forced confession raise questions about the fairness of the trial.
- Consular Support for Indian Workers: The delay in confirming the execution highlights gaps in communication between Indian diplomatic channels and its citizens abroad.
- Legal Aid for Migrant Workers: Many Indian workers in the Gulf region struggle to afford legal representation, often relying on court-appointed lawyers who may not fully advocate for them.
- India-UAE Relations and Migrant Rights: The case has put a spotlight on how Indian workers are treated in the UAE and whether India should do more to protect its citizens overseas.
What Happens Next?
As India continues its diplomatic relations with the UAE, cases like Khan’s serve as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by Indian domestic workers abroad. While the UAE maintains strict legal processes, the circumstances of Khan’s execution highlight the need for greater legal assistance and intervention from the Indian government in cases involving capital punishment.
Human rights advocates stress the importance of fair trials, transparency, and access to legal representation to ensure that individuals—especially migrant workers—receive just treatment in foreign legal systems.
With dozens of Indians still on death row in the UAE, the Indian government may face increased pressure to enhance legal aid and consular support for its citizens working abroad.
